Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team

Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team (1995-1999)

Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team - Miller's Report (1998)

Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team is a 12 episode anime OVA series from Sunrise studios. Set during the One Year War (the conflict depicted in the original 1979 Mobile Suit Gundam series), The 08th MS Team focuses on an Earth Federation Army squad tasked with rooting out Zeon forces deep in Southeast Asia using a small force of Gundam-type mobile suits. The series draws heavily from American war films (frequently using Vietnam War motifs due to the setting) and takes a much more realistic approach the concept of mobile suits; the 08th's Team's mobile suit force consists largely of RX-79[G] Ground Type Gundams, which are built from parts left over from Project V (the program that developed the original RX-78 Gundam) and are shown as needing constant repair and maintenance due to both combat damage and the wear caused by the machine-unfriendly environment.

A followup movie, Mobile Suit Gundam: 08th MS Team - Miller's Report, was released in 1998 and uses a combination of clips from the OVA and some new footage to depict an E.F. intelligence officer sent to investigate allegations of espionage within the 08th.

The following weapons were used in the OVA Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team:

Pistols

Earth Federation Force Standard Issue Pistol

The Earth Federation Force Standard Issue Pistol (called M71A1 in some sources) is seen with Shiro Amada and other EFA soldiers in the series. Earth Federation intelligence officer Alice Miller in the Miller's Report special. From time to time, anti-Zeon guerrillas also use them as their sidearm.

This is the standard sidearm of the EFF in the Universal Century era and features an external hammer and a slide-mounted safety switch.

Airsoft replica of the Earth Federation Force Standard Issue Pistol as seen in the Gundam franchise. This is a conversion kit for the Maruzen PPK/S airsoft gun.

Shiro takes cover with the M71A1 drawn out in "War for Two".

In this shot, you can see the pistol's long barrel.

An anti-Zeon fighter threatens Shiro with the pistol in the middle of "The Time Limit on Trust".

Shiro reaches for his sidearm.

Shiro fires the M71A1 at the deployed S-Mines near the end of "Duty and Ideals".

Alice Miller aims her sidearm at Shiro Amada in "Miller's Report".

Another shot of Alice aiming her sidearm at Shiro.

A closeup of the Alice's pistol. Note the safety switch.

Mauser C96

An anti-Zeon guerrilla fighter is seen with a Mauser C96 handgun during an attack on a Zeon Earth Attack Force base in "The Time Limit on Trust". The barrel appears to be shorter and heavier than the real C96's barrel.

Pre-War dated Mauser C96 "Broomhandle" Commercial Version - 7.63x25mm Mauser.

A C96 in the hands on an anti-Zeon guerrilla.

Naban Type 62

The Naban Type 62 is used by Principality of Zeon personnel as their main sidearm in the Universal Century era. Some of its features are based by the Luger P08 pistol according to Gundam art/dataguide books, which makes sense since Zeon is based on fascist leanings during the Second World War.

Naban Type 62 - 9x19mm.

Erma "Mini" Luger - 7.65.

Aina Saharin aims the Type 62 at Shiro Amada in the middle of "War for Two".

Aina aims the Type 62 at Shiro in a standoff.

Walther P08

The Walther P08 was briefly used by Aina in "Reunion" as her main sidearm during her stay on Earth.

Walther P8 - 9x19mm.

Aina draws out her sidearm after she emerges from the Apsalus II.

Walther PPK

A Walther PPK is used by anti-Zeon guerrilla fighter Kiki Rosita as her sidearm, first seen in the middle of "Gundams in the Jungle" when she catches Shiro peeping at her.

Walther PPK-L - .32 ACP

Kiki aims the PPK at a retreating Shiro while using her arms to cover herself up in "Gundams in the Jungle".

Kiki fires the PPK up to the air to make everyone shut up in the middle of "The Time Limit on Trust".

Revolvers

Smith & Wesson Model 36

A Smith & Wesson Model 36 in a stainless finish is used by Admiral Ginias Saharin when he shoots the monitor screen in the ZEAF's mountain fortress in "Duty and Ideals". He uses a possible blued version of it near the end of "The Shuddering Mountain, Part 2" to shoot Aina after she begins to question his rationality.

Smith & Wesson Model 36, nickel plated - .38 Special.

Ginias glares at the non-functioning monitor screen while aiming the revolver in "Duty and Ideals".

Ginias aiming the Model 36 at the monitor screen.

Aina is thretened by Ginias when he aims the revolver at him.

Smith & Wesson Model 36 with square butt - .38 Special.

Ginias aims the Model 36 at Aina from his seat in the Apsalus III cockpit near the end of "The Shuddering Mountain, Part 2".

Submachine Guns

Heckler & Koch MP5K

When the anti-Zeon guerrillas rush to finish off a damaged MS-05B Zaku I, one guerrilla fighter is seen with a Heckler & Koch MP5K submachine gun.

Heckler & Koch MP5K - version with SEF Plastic Trigger Pack - 9x19mm.

An anti-Zeon guerrilla with an MP5K rushes in to finish off a wounded mobile suit pilot.

Zeon Submachine Gun 1

Zeon Earth Attack Force soldiers and a few anti-Zeon guerrilla fighters carry Zeon Submachine Gun 1s that bare a strong resemblance to the Heckler & Koch MP5A3.

Zeon Submachine Gun 1

Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with Navy trigger group and MP5F stock - 9x19mm

A few anti-Zeon guerrillas charge towards a Zeon base with their submachine guns in "The Time Limit on Trust".

In this shot, you can see the ZEAF soldier holding the SMG1 via the magazine.

The ZEAF soldier with the SMG1 before he got attacked by an anti-Zeon guerrilla fighter.

Assault Rifles

M72A1 Assault Rifle

The M72A1 futuristic bullpup assault rifle is seen in the OP by Earth Federation Army troops, but actually used by guerrilla fighters in The 08th MS Team. Strangely enough, the ZEAF are depicted to use them as their main assault rifle in "The Time Limit on Trust". Other UC timeline series depict this weapon as being the standard-issue EFF assault rifle.

The assault rifle is visually based on the Enfield L85 assault rifle with the addition of an M16A1 carry handle and front sight. It is chambered in 4.8mm, which is a possible shoutout to the prototype 4.85x49mm cartridge.

M72A1 assault rifle - 4.8mm caliber.

L85A1 rifle - 5.56x45mm

EFA soldiers charge towards an enemy position alongside an EFA Type 61 MBT.

EFA soldiers and mobile suits charge towards an enemy position. Note that it's blurry due to the animation done in the OP sequence.

Karen Joshua is seen armed with the M72A1 near a defensive position.

Terry Sanders with the M72A1 slung on his back while Shiro talks to a local.

An anti-Zeon guerrilla uses the M72A1 rifle's buttstock to attack a surprised Zeon Earth Attack Force soldier in "The Time Limit of Trust".

You can see a couple of ZEAF soldiers porting the M72A1 assault rifle.

An anti-Zeon guerrila armed with the bullpup M72A1 assault rifle.

Fictional EFSF Assault Rifle

A fictional EFSF assault rifle is seen used by Shiro during his time in Side 2 near the end of "Reunion" in a flashback.

The rifle in question. Note that the stock is hollow and the design appears to be based on the SA80 like the M72A1 with a riflescope mounted on top.

Zeon Assault Rifle

A fictional Zeon-made assault rifle is used by the Zeon Earth Attack Force as their main assault rifle in their Earth campaign throughout the series.

Zeon Assault Rifle.

ZEAF soldiers confront a detained Eledore and Michel in the middle of "The Broken Order to Stand By".

A war-weary ZEAF soldier walks alongside Admiral Yuri Kellerne at the start of "Reunion".

Shotguns

Sawed-off shotgun

An anti-Zeon guerrilla uses a sawed-off shotgun in "The Time Limit on Trust". The weapon is not drawn with enough detail to determine which (if any) real-world weapon it is based on.

An anti-Zeon guerrilla charges towards a ZEAF base with a sawed-off shotgun.

Machine Guns

Browning M2HB

A Browning M2HB is seen mounted on EFA military vehicles as a secondary weapon in the series.

Browning M2HB - .50 BMG.

The M2HB on top of a EFA Type 61 MBT.

The 08th MS Team supply truck at a EFA base in "Miller's Report". The M2HB is mounted on top of the truck cab.

M61 Vulcan

The EFA-controlled Type 74 Hover Truck is armed with a M61 Vulcan cannon mounted via a one-man open-top turret.

GE M61 Vulcan Cannon - 20mm

The Type 74 Hover Truck moving alongside EFA troops. Note that it's blurry due to the animation done in the OP sequence.

Eledore Massis shows Michel Ninorich the 08th MS Team's Type 74 Hover Truck at the start of "Gundams in the Jungle".

Several EFA Type 74s return to base from a night patrol.

A good view of the Hover Truck's M61 in "The Time Limit on Trust".

The 08th MS Team's Type 74 is mobilized during an anti-Zeon operation in the middle of "The Demon Overhead".

Kiki Rosita mans the M61 Vulcan turret near the end of "Battle Line on the Burning Sand".

Michel Ninorich stands outside the 08th MS Team's Type 74 Hover Truck in "Duty and Ideals". Note the M61 Vulcan mounted on top of the truck.

Rocket Launchers

BGM-71 TOW

An anti-Zeon guerrilla uses a BGM-71 TOW to ambush a retreating MS-06JC Zaku II in the middle of "Duty and Ideals".

BGM-71 TOW mounted on M220 tripod - 152mm.

The TOW launcher being assembled on a rather strange-looking tripod.

The guerrilla leader instructs his soldier to fire on the fleeing Zaku II. Note the rear port of the TOW on the far right side of the screen: the launcher is missing its bridging clamp, meaning there would be no interface between the missile and launcher and it could not be fired.

The guerrilla takes aim at a retreating Zaku II. Note that the weird tripod has turned into a totally normal TOW tripod.

Carl Gustav M2

A Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifle is used by anti-Zeon guerrillas after one of the Zeon mobile suit pilots, Ash, nearly kills Kiki and threatens the villagers in "Duty and Ideals".

Carl Gustav M2 - 84x246mm R

An anti-Zeon guerrilla hides after his comrades catch sight of the Zakus.

The anti-Zeon guerrilla takes aim at a Zaku mobile suit.

An anti-Zeon guerrilla charges with his M2-type recoilless rifle. The scope on this one has been removed.

M72 LAW

When a squad of Zakus descend on the village where the guerrilla forces are hiding, one anti-Zeon guerrilla tries to get an unused LAW hidden in a bunch of potato sacks before Kiki stops him in "Duty and Ideals".

M72 LAW with rocket - 66mm.

An anti-Zeon guerrilla almost gets his hands on an unused LAW.

Fictionalized Norinco Type 69

A fictionalized Norinco Type 69 (with an optical sight instead of iron sights, a slightly altered tube, and the carry handle removed) is used by an anti-Zeon guerrilla to down a Zaku II in "Duty and Ideals".

Chinese Type 69 RPG - 40mm.

The guerrilla waits to ambush the Zaku in "Duty and Ideals".

The guerrilla aims the Type 69 at the Zaku's open cockpit.

"You're dead!"

The guerrilla fires the Type 69. Note how he holds it since it doesn't have a carry handle on the tube.

A good closeup of the Type 69 used by an anti-Zeon guerrilla. Note the wider tube.

The guerrilla forces charge the Zaku squad.

A good closeup of the Type 69's warhead.

Fictional Collapsible Rocket Launcher

Shiro Amada and several of the anti-Zeon guerrillas use a collapsible rocket launcher. The weapon posesses many of the same features as the M72 LAW and the M141 SMAW-D.

Shiro springs an ambush on a passing Zaku.

Shiro extends a second launcher.

Shiro dodges an incoming attack.

Shiro fires the launcher at the Zaku.

Two anti-Zeon guerrilla fighters with collapsed rocket launchers slung over their shoulders.

Fictional Rocket Launcher

Another fictional rocket launcher, this one with a heat shield mounted to the front of the weapon, is used by guerrillas while raiding a Zeon base in "The Time Limit on Trust".

An anti-Zeon guerrilla takes aim with the rocket launcher.

Grenades

M26 Grenade

A M26 grenade is seen in the OP sequence of the OVA series.

M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

A couple of M26s present in the OVA's OP sequence.

M67 Grenade

A M67 grenade is seen on top of a birthday cake in the OP sequence of the OVA series. Ginias uses one to destroy the mountain fortress' command chair and execute the drugged scientists near the end of "The Shuddering Mountain, Part 1".

Airsoft "M67 hand grenade" gas bottle.

That's an "interesting" way to celebrate someone's birthday.

Ginias leave a primed M67 grenade as a present near the end of "The Shuddering Mountain, Part 1".

Unknown Grenade

An anti-Zeon guerrilla has a couple of grenades attached on his vest in the series. The way it's animated makes it hard to determine.

The two grenades on an anti-Zeon guerrilla's vest in "Duty and Ideals".

Mortars

Type 89 "Knee Mortar"

The anti-Zeon guerrillas use several Type 89 knee mortars to launch grappling lines in "The Time Limit on Trust".

Type 89 "Knee Mortar" - 50mm

The guerrillas prepare to fire the mortars.