>Federation sees Newtypes as incredibly useful weapons and

>>15456624
Because it was a prototype meant to test out new technologies like the E-packs and movable frame for eventual use on mass production models, not to be the next end all be all suit for aces? Because it was made by the titans and the EF developed a fear of newtypes after the war? Because the titans didn't give a flying fuck about natural newtypes and were working on artificial newtypes and developing newtype specific MS for them at other bases?

Gundams aren't necessarily "For aces among aces" either. Usually they're prototypes for testing out new stuff.

>>15456624
>costs be damned?

no, because it's not so much the machine, but the pilot in the machine. The Gundam became outdated before the war was over. Amuro was just that damn good to get so far with it.

The gundam could cost as much as it wants but if the pilot isn't good enough then it just becomes a money sink due to repair costs and god forbid the thing gets destroyed .

>>15456677
>The Gundam became outdated before the war was over

pretty much , Zeon had suits that rivaled the Gundam

>>15456652
yeah it's kinda interesting that the MK II is more like a real world prototype than most Gundams that are labeled prototypes tend to function like

>>15456677
>and god forbid the thing gets destroyed .
This. I'm amazed the Feds ever made another Gundam after losing the RX-78-2, 4, and 6, the FA Gundam, the three Blue Destiny units, the Alex, and the GP01, GP02, GP03 *and* GP04. And I just know there's more shit I'm forgetting, since I only just recalled that the Pixie was a thing too.

>>15456725
The EFF ended up never actually buying the GP04, which is part of why it was unfinished and AE sold it to zeon.

>>15456734
Fair enough, my bad, I misremembered and thought they still funded its development.

File: RX-178.jpg (451KB, 1103x1585px) Image search: [Google]

451KB, 1103x1585px

fuck the haters, MK-II is my bae

>>15456624
>Linear cockpit
>Movable Frame
How was it a downgrade? Beam weapons and melee combat mean that traditional armor profiles are just extra mass. How would a lighter, faster Gundam with an improved user interface ever be a downgrade?

>>15456681
Not just rivaled, but surpassed. The Gelgoog was a beam-using, space-capable mobile suit that was more maneuverable than the Gundam. The Gyan and later variants of the Rick Dom were probably more capable in close combat to boot.

>>15456725
The GP series was off the record though, and the Alex probably was too.

Unicorn and Banshee were made with NT-D to put an end to Zeon dominance in space with newtypes. So newtypes would no longer be a factor and the Feds could go back to fielding chepa GI GM(a real earth federation hero). Turns out the NT-D needs a newtype pilot or you cook the pilot's brain.

>>15456624
Cost of mass production is heavy.