The Type 2 Space Mobile Armor, developed under the name Saito-type Mobile Armor and nicknamed "Shoki" (鍾馗, Shōki) by members of the Space Cavalry, is a small humanoid mobile weapon devised by Second Lieutenant Hajime Saito of the Space Cavalry. It played a significant role in the Gatlantis Campaign and in the post-war period.
Armaments and Technical Specifications[]
Type 2 Space Mobile Armors flying near a Cosmo Tiger II
The Type 2 Space Mobile Armor is a one-man humanoid mobile weapon that combines the strengths of an aircraft and an armored vehicle. Despite its little height of about 3 meters, it's flexible enough to be used not only on land, but also in space and in the air. Three-dimensional maneuvering, including flight in the atmosphere, is performed by the two high-powered thrusters on its back, and it can be equipped with two high mobility units on a frame for additional equipment over the shoulders to further its airborne capabilities. While on ground, it can achieve high-speed movement using tracked units mounted on the tips of its legs. Its mechanism is simpler than that of an aircraft and it can be produced in a short period of time even in a shipboard factory.[1][5][4]
Its combat capability is superior to Gatlantis’ Needleslave, but it lacks in firepower and armor strength. Bullet resistance is a particularly serious issue with the model, exacerbated by the fact that it's easy to cause death or injury to its pilot due to its structure as a small powered suit. This drawback could be alleviated by developing an option similar to the Needle Slave’s removable armor plates, but no fundamental countermeasures were taken during the Gatlantis Campaign, perhaps because of aversion to increasing weight.[1][4]
The silhouette of the human form may seem to be another downside, but is a natural choice for a “armor” for the Space Cavalry. Since it can lie “face down,” the front projected area is relatively small. Additionally, the human-like arms and legs allow the Type 2 Mobile Space Armor to perform tasks similar to those of a human being, and execute complex maneuvers on the ground. This capability is a feature unique to powered suits that is difficult to obtain achieve with other vehicles, and is the true strength of the unit. Together with its mobility and firepower, it's what allows the Space Cavalry to complete its missions without support.[4]
The display of a Type 2 Space Mobile Armor giving information on an injured Cosmo Navy pilot
The head of the armor also houses the head of the pilot, as well as a series of information terminals. The pilot acquires external information through various sensors and visual observation. The forehead is marked “Keep Clear / Optical Seeker and Memory Camera System.” The visor also displays information on the surroundings, and the pilot can access them via voice contact. The Type 2 Space Mobile Armor's arms and legs are occupied by drive systems and armaments, so the cockpit can only be located inside the fuselage. However, few space for it is available in the fuselage, causing pilots to become fatigued because of their immobility. This leads to the advantage that damage dealt to the arms and legs does not directly lead to injuries.[4]
A Type 2 Space Mobile Armor unleshes its firepower during the Terezart Landing Operation
The firepower of the Type 2 Space Mobile Armor is supplied by firearms built into the limbs and a frame on the back for additional equipment. The arms are completely mechanical and are fitted not only with a drive mechanism but also with relatively high-powered firearms, including a small pulse laser cannon over the forearm, a smoke discharger at the start of the forearm. A powerful machine gun is also placed beneath the forearm, it serves as the mobile armor's primary weapon and can carry a large number of rounds. Two positron cannons are placed at the base of the shoulder, over them is the frame for additional equipment which can be used to with aircraft armament like missiles and space torpedoes. In addition to the equipment frame, there are other hard points that can be mounted with armaments and other equipment.[1][4]
History[]
Three Type 2 Space Mobile Armors during the Terezart Landing Operation
Following the devastating Destruction of the Moon Base that wiped out a good portion of the 7th Space Cavalry Regiment, then Sargeant Major Hajime Saito recognized the necessity of a new equipment for the Space Cavalry. He came out with the concept of a one-man weapon that would have the functions of both an aircraft and an armored fighting vehicle. Following his promotion to Second Lieutenant and his transfer to the 11th planet, Saito began developing a mobile armor, tentatively named "Saito-type Mobile Armor", and a simulation was carried out with the support of Admiral Ryu Hijikata. Due to an attack from the Gatlantis Empire the model didn't enter mass-production,[5] but a group of mobile armors began construction aboard the Yamato's shipboard factory, where Saito and the 7th Regiment had embarked.[6] They were used during the Terezart Landing Operation, Battle against Neu Deusura, and the Golem Assault Battle.[2][7][8][9][10]
Unarmed variant in the time fault on December 8, 2203
After it recieved approval from the Earth HQ, the armor was formalized as “Type 2 Space Mobile Armor” and began production outside of Yamato.[4] By May 2203, the UNCF had began mass-producing a yellow, unarmed variant of the Type 2 Space Mobile Armor, and they were used to carry out repairs to the Yamato at the Temporary Docks off Mars.[8] This variant was also used to protect workers within the time fault by late 2203.[11]
Gallery[]
Behind the scenes[]
The Type 2 Space Mobile Armor was designed by 2202 deputy director Makoto Kobayashi[12] and was based on the Saito-type Space Cavalry Mobile Infantry designed by him in his magazine Hyperweapon. He stated the original mecha was made to promote Yamato Resurrection, and was designed with the idea of being a weapon used by the Space Cavalry around 2220.[13] Unlike other mecha designs made by Kobayashi for 2202, which were created during the storybording process, the Type 2 Space Mobile Armor was present since the beginning of production, but was depicted as a mecha used mainly for ground warfare.[14]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Official Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Warriors of Love CHARACTER & MECHANIC entry for the Type 2 Space Mobile Armor
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Terezart Landing Operation – Crush the Enemy Missile Fleet!"
- ↑ "The Era of Space Battleship Yamato: Choice of 2202"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Yamato mecha taken from Hachette Collections Japan magazine
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Chapter 4 Theater Pamphlet p. 19
- ↑ "Bewitching - The Space Fireflies Beckon a Crisis"
- ↑ "Zurvival's Fierce Assault - Find Teresa"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "The Fated Showdown!"
- ↑ "Warriors of Love"
- ↑ "Yamato, Attack the Comet Empire!"
- ↑ "Earth, Yamato Is..."
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Warriors of Love Complete Works- Scenario Edition pp. 59-63
- ↑ HYPERWEAPON 2014: The Road to Barreras
- ↑ Space Battleship Yamato 2202 Warriors of Love Complete Works- Scenario Edition p.81
Japanese language information[]
- 2式空間機動甲冑 2-shiki kūkan kidōkatchū (Type 2 Space Mobile Armor)
- 斉藤式機動甲冑 Saitō-shiki kidōkatchū (Saito-type Mobile Armor)