Technology & Combat Characteristics
The MS-05Q is a retrofitted version of the Zaku I. Although the Zaku I was outclassed by the Zaku II in terms of total balance, it was well-received by pilots, and it is said that there were many who wanted the Zaku I. This machine was developed as the Zaku II was being deployed, and was manufactured based on the MS-05B. It has been modified with a new thermonuclear fusion reactor, power pipes added to the head, and spherical armor added to both shoulders. Although its appearance remains largely unchanged, its performance has been greatly improved, and it is capable of using almost the same firearms as the Zaku II.
History
In U.C.0078, while the new MS-06 Zaku II was being produced, many pilots still preferred to use their existing mobile units – the MS-05B Zaku I. The Principality of Zeon started a program to upgrade the Zaku I, and the result was the MS-05Q Zaku I. The plan was to upgrade 240 Zaku I, but only 164 units managed to be upgraded since most of Zeon's priority was given to the production of the Zaku II. At the end of the war, less than 30 more units were converted. Many of the MS-05Q Zaku I were used by ace pilots like Norris Packard, whose machine has a custom purple and red color scheme.