Tallgeese

Overview

The OZ-00MS Tallgeese is a prototype mobile suit appearing in New Mobile Report Gundam Wing. Positioned as the historical progenitor of all mobile suits within the After Colony timeline, it is frequently referred to as the "Prototype Leo." Originally completed in A.C. 175 at the Corsica facility, the unit was sealed away for twenty years due to performance characteristics that exceeded human physical limitations. In the main story, it serves as the primary machine of OZ ace pilot Zechs Merquise during the first half of the series, competing on equal terms with the newly deployed Gundams. Its signature white color scheme was selected during development following advice from Treize Khushrenada.

Appearance

Standing 17.4 meters tall with a weight of 8.8 metric tons, the unit features white titanium alloy armor. Its head is fitted with a crested faceguard, beneath which lies a square camera sensor identical to the standard Leo model. Large Super Verniers are mounted on its shoulders and back. Equipment includes a long-barreled Dover Gun attached to the right shoulder hardpoint via an articulated arm, and a small circular shield on the left shoulder that stores beam sabers on its interior side. It can also carry a handheld double-barrel missile pod.

Abilities

Powered by its Super Verniers, the unit delivers turning capabilities exceeding three times those of the Aries and unmeasurable maximum speeds, executing instantaneous stops and sharp, consecutive maneuvers. However, straight-line acceleration generates forces exceeding 15Gs, inflicting lethal physical strain on human organs and bones. Its reinforced titanium alloy armor offers supreme defense, surviving high-velocity collisions against solid buildings unscathed. Armed with a long-barreled Dover Gun featuring a recoil-reducing muzzle brake, it can destroy multiple mobile suits in a single shot and damage Gundanium armor. It also deploys beam sabers stored inside the left shoulder shield for close-quarters combat.

Background

Constructed in A.C. 175 by the five scientists and Mike Howard, the Tallgeese was placed into long-term storage after serving as the development platform for mass-production machines like the Leo. Twenty years later, it was rediscovered and restored at the Corsica base for Zechs Merquise, who sought a unit capable of fighting the Gundams. After test pilot Otto died from the extreme acceleration forces, Zechs sustained injuries but mastered the machine through superior piloting skills. Following intense duels on Earth, the suit was upgraded for space operations. Ultimately, as Zechs's reaction speed surpassed the unit's mechanical limits, he set the Tallgeese to self-destruct as a decoy when transferring to the Wing Gundam Zero.

Relationships

Zechs Merquise (Milliardo Peacecraft) served as its primary pilot, mastering the dangerous machine through physical endurance and offering a respectful salute prior to its destruction. Treize Khushrenada influenced its visual design during development by recommending a white color scheme, later constructing the Tallgeese II from spare parts. Special Lieutenant Otto acted as a test pilot but lost his life to the violent G-forces during an unauthorized sortie. On the battlefield, the suit engaged in fierce rival duels against Heero Yuy, who piloted the Wing Gundam and Gundam Heavyarms.

Trivia

The unit's name stems from the term "Theurgist," referring to a practitioner of divine magic, although its official English spelling "Tallgeese" literally translates to "tall geese." It served as the technological baseline for all mobile suits in the After Colony timeline, including the Leo and Aries. Notable variants include the Tallgeese II, Tallgeese III, and the Tallgeese Flugel, which features prototype wing-like thrusters later adapted for the Wing Gundam Zero.