Technology & Combat Characteristics
Because it was an attempt to create a perfect humanoid mobile weapon equipped with a compact fusion reactor, the previously developed MS-04 Bugu ended up becoming a machine too expensive to mass-produce. Thus it was redesigned to create the MS-05 Zaku I, intended for mass production and combat deployment. The power pipes attached to the outside of the Bugu as part of its fluid pulse system were installed under the armor to prevent damage from enemy attacks, but as a result, its mobility and maneuverability were slightly inferior to those of the Bugu. Nonetheless, it addressed all the production and maintenance issues related to using large numbers of machines in the battlefield .
History
On the dark side of the moon, Ramba Ral led the Black Tri-Stars, in their MS-05 Zaku I, to reach the edge of Mare Smythii within 12 hours. Private Char Aznable had already gone ahead and was standing on the open cockpit of his MS-05 when the others caught up . An FF-1F Hog spotted Char's unit and was quickly destroyed by its machine gun. Char's unit destroyed another Hog. Ortega's Zaku I opened fire on a Hog shooting at him, too . When the RCX-76-02 Guncannon First Types were deployed, Gaia laughed as his Zaku I destroyed Guncannon VB107. Mash then destroyed Guncannon VB105 with only a single shot from his Zaku I's Bazooka and then Ortega's Zaku I destroyed Guncannon VB106. Seeing this devastation, the captain of the Pizarro-class mobile transport ship ordered a recall of the Guncannons but lost his voice when the red shadow of Char's unit loomed into view in front of the ship. It was a mobility that far surpassed his imagination. The red machine fired the machine gun it held at the ship's bridge. The ship's triple-mounted anti-aircraft gun reacted and bombarded the red suit, but the red suit effortlessly dodged the attack, and fired a round at the rear engine. Engulfed in explosive flames, the ship sank into the Mare Smythii . Ortega bludgeoned Guncannon VB102's head with his Zaku I's heat hawk. Gaia brushed of a shot from Guncannon VB104 as if it were nothing and bended his Zaku I over for Mash's to stand upon and deal the final blow with a bazooka. Ortega's Zaku I continued bludgeoning a Guncannon, Gaia's Zaku I chased an armless Guncannon VB103 and was ordered by Captain Ral to let the Guncannon go, Gaia ignored the order and sliced the Guncannon's backpack reactor, causing it to fall on Dr. Minovsky. Char's Zaku I stood beside the Pizarro-class wreckage .
With the outbreak of the Zeon War of Independence, the MS-05 Zaku I was officially adopted as the main weapon of the Principality of Zeon forces , but it subsequently lost its position as a main machine due to the adoption of the even more complete MS-06 Zaku II .
On January 3, Major General Kycilia Zabi's Chivvay-class deployed her assault forces' MS-05 Zaku I units to occupy Granada and then her main force of Musai-class Early Production Type light cruisers attacked Federation Salamis-class and Magellan-class vessels above Von Braun. When a Magellan-class was destroyed, the MS-05S Char's Zaku I fired its machine gun as three standard Zaku I units departed from a Musai-class .
On January 23, the MS-05 saw action at the Battle of Loum alongside the MS-06. Denim piloted a unit equipped with a machine gun whereas Slender piloted a unit equipped with a shoulder shield and Bazooka Type A2 .
Gadem's Papua-class supply ship had caught fire and the Falmer was encircled by enemy mobile suits from all sides. Gadem had gotten into an MS-05 Zaku I to deliver the Zaku II units to the Falmer, pushing each one up. Kai continued firing from his RX-77 Guncannon, but Gadem's Zaku I appeared out of the flames, much to Kai's surprise. Gadem sought to avenge his ship, even in a second-hand mobile suit. After punching Kai's Guncannon, he attempted to grab it. Ryu and Hayato's Guntank then appeared behind the Guncannon, putting the Zaku I off-balance with its long barrels. Hayato took aim at the Zaku I and destroyed it, killing Gadem .
Intelligence agent Tachi had pulled all the strings he could to procure one old-model Zaku and two Magella tanks, which he delivered to Hamon in the Fat Uncle . When the White Base landed on a ledge in Urubamba Gorge to avoid the Fat Uncle, Sayla Mass sensed hostility. It was Tachi, piloting the Zaku I. The Zaku I (with its Bazooka Type A2) and the Magella tanks fired upon the White Base. After Kai's Cannon Zaku destroyed a Magella tank, the Zaku I bludgeoned its head with a Heat Hawk. Job's Guncannon then grabbed the Zaku I from behind to let Danny's Guntank destroy it, killing Tachi .
Hjalmar rushed to the Gundam Marine Type that was aiming for the seaborne MS-05 pilot Kalka. Hjalmar's Gogg and Gundam Marine Type engaged in a rough fight. It was almost impossible for Kalka to snipe enemies in that state. Kalka pulled the trigger, killing in a raged hesitation. Damaged by the blow, the Gundam Marine Type withdrew .