RG 1/144 #31 Crossbone Gundam X-1

RG 1/144 Crossbone Gundam X-1

XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X-1is a testedmobile suit in theUniversal Centurydeveloped by theEarth Federation’s Strategic Naval Research Institute(SNRI). It was featured in theMobile Suit Crossbone Gundammanga series.

Unlike many mobile suits developed by theSNRI, which were designed for use around the Earth orbit, the F-97 is specifically designed to be used aroundJupiter, whose strong gravity field would generate serious propulsion problems. For units operating on Earth and around Earth orbit, the problem of high mobility was solved putting numerous thrusters all over the mobile suit’s body.

Under Jupiter’s gravitational influence, this would require enlargement of the thrusters, leading to an increase of the mobile suit’s size and mass. Moreover, in order to use the larger thrusters a larger and more powerful generator would be needed, adding to the general mass.

To solve this matter, Crossbone Gundam is equipped with long variable X-shaped thrusters, composed of four thrusters can be pointed at any direction: with the addition of AMBAC, the main thrusters allow high mobility around Jupiter’s orbit, while combined into one huge rocket column they largely increased the unit’s top speed, without increasing the size and mass of the mobile suit. Due to the fact that it was created to be used in Jupiter’s orbit, when the F-97 is used on Earth it is more difficult for the pilot to control.