MG 1/100 RX-79 [G] Gundam Ground Type

The RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type is a limited production mobile suit introduced in the Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team OVA.

The Gundam Ground Type was one of the early prototypes for the Earth Federation's mobile suit mass production plan, produced in limited numbers before the recovery of the RX-78-2 Gundam's combat data. As its name suggests, it was designed solely for ground combat, and all space-use equipment, as well as the Core Block System, were omitted. This caused the Gundam Ground Type to be lighter, allowing it to rival the performance of the RX-78 while under gravity.

In order to save time and cost, the RX-79[G] was constructed using surplus parts for the RX-78. Since the quality of these parts varied greatly, differences in performance became a problem, so a limiter was added in order to ensure stable performance. This limiter can be disengaged, activating a state known as "MAX mode", greatly increasing performance. However, due to the heavy burden placed on the unit, this mode can only be activated for a limited time.

Compared to the RX-78, the RX-79[G] featured many design changes. The head-mounted Vulcan guns were omitted in favor of the ability to mount various optional equipment to adapt to different situations, such as extra antennae for long-range communication or a Vulcan pod for enhanced close combat ability. An extendable snorkel camera for enemy searching was mounted on the left side of the head. The beam saber racks were moved from the backpack to the legs, and were changed to an enclosed type to prevent dust from entering. A Vulcan gun and a multi-launcher were mounted on the left side of the chest. Its backpack was designed to mount various equipment, such as a weapon container for carrying various handheld weapons or a parachute pack.

The Gundam Ground Type was capable of using beam rifle. However, only a small number of beam rifles were manufactured for it, and few units were equipped with it. As such, its primary ranged weapons were physical projectile weapons, such as the 100mm machine gun and the 180mm cannon. Two spare magazines for the machine gun can be mounted on the side armor on the waist.

As the RX-79[G] was built out of surplus parts for the RX-78, replacements parts were very limited, and many bases were forced to perform field repairs on their units using parts from other mobile suits, creating many custom type units. One such example was the unit piloted by Karen Joshua, which had its head replaced with the head of an RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type.