Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

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.

The MS-07B-3 Gouf Custom is an upgraded variant of the MS-07B Gouf that was introduced shortly after the MS-09B Dom. It first appeared in the anime Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. During the deployment of the Gouf, its limited combat versatility became evident with its design concept of emphasis on hand-to-hand combat. Numerous disadvantages surfaced during operations on the battlefield, such as a lack of flexibility due to Gouf's fixed armament. The Gouf would be completely redesigned as the MS-07B-3, which was an improvement over the original. The Gouf Custom was designed with improved close-quarters shooting and detachable weapons. It was designed primarily for ace pilots preferring a lighter mobile suit that could leap and jump as opposed to the heavy, yet effective MS-09B Dom.The Gouf Custom featured multiple changes to the MS-07B, including the elimination of the awkward five-finger 75mm machine guns, replacing it with a normal manipulator and a wrist-mounted 3-barrel 35mm Machine gun. The coil-like heat rod is replaced with a magnetic grappler wire that connects and disables an enemy with an electric charge rather than damaging them. The grappler wire could also be used as a repelling line that could slow or even halt the descent of a falling Gouf in the right conditions. The shield of the Gouf was modified so that it not only stored the Gouf's heat sword but is also capable of carrying a 75mm Gatling gun, greatly enhancing the mobile suit's firepower.

The RGM-79[G] GM Ground Type is a ground based predecessor to the RGM-79 GM. It first appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team. An early prototype of the Earth Federation Forces' mobile suit mass production project, the GM Ground Type was developed before the RX-78-2 Gundam's operational data was recovered. Even though it was only able to operate on Earth, its internal parts were all tuned for ground combat, and it was equipped with Luna Titanium armor, causing its mobility, maneuverability, and general performance to surpass the later RGM-79 GM.It is said that its performance under gravity even rivals that of the RX-78.The GM Ground Type was a simplified version of the RX-79[G] Gundam Ground Type, and produced using the same production line.Compared to the Gundam Ground Type, the GM Ground Type omitted the chest-mounted Vulcan gun and multi-launcher, the weapon container mount on the backpack, and was equipped with a less powerful generator.It also did not incorporate parts from the RX-78 series, though its head unit was similar in specs to that of the RX-78's.Since it was produced after the production format was established, its ease of production, ease of maintenance and availability of parts were all greater than its predecessor.Due to its use of Luna Titanium alloy, it was unsuited for mass production and produced in limited numbers. However, the GM Ground Type was important in establishing the EFF's mobile suit production framework. The operational data it collected contributed to the development of later mobile suits.Finally, the basic structure of its head was later inherited by the RGM-79 GM, becoming the iconic face of Federation mass production mobile suits.