XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock
XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock is a mobile suit in the anime series New Mobile Report Gundam W (known to English speakers as Mobile Suit Gundam Wing).
One of the five Gundams based on the XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero, Gundam Sandrock was developed by Instructor H specifically for pilot Quatre Raberba Winner. Like other Gundams, Sandrock is protected by high-durability Gundanium alloy, and is the most heavily armored Gundam. Sandrock is also the strongest of the five Gundams in terms of raw power; it can handle pair of heat shotels, a large and heavy heated blade, with ease. As a result, it is also the slowest of the 5 Gundams. These heat shotels can be combined with its shield and backpack to form a cross crusher, a pincer-like weapon. It is also armed with head-mounted vulcan guns and shoulder-mounted missiles, but doesn't feature any beam weapons.
In AC 195, Quatre took his Sandrock to Earth to meet up with the Maguanac Corps in their direct fight against OZ and the Earth Alliance. But when Quatre was forced to self-detonate the Sandrock in order to ensure that he, Duo Maxwell, and Chang Wufei would make it into space, the pieces were picked up by OZ. Gundam Supporter Sally Po entered the factory where the pieces were stored and tried to destroy the remains. However it turned out the Maguanac Corps were also there with the intent of gathering the pieces so they could rebuild the Sandrock and return it to Quatre. After talking it out, Po eventually lets them leave with Sandrock's remains.
Sally later gave this information to former OZ officer and now Sanc Kingdom supporter Lucrezia Noin who would tell Quatre this and Quatre went to recover it when it became clear that the Romefeller Foundation was going to attack the Sanc Kingdom.
Though Gundam Sandrock wasn't designed for space combat, it was able to perform at half of its potential until in space up until Gundam supporter Howard later modified it into XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Kai ("Kai" is Japanese Kanji character "改". In English means "Modified".). This modified Sandrock has a remodelled backpack the addition of several vernier thrusters, making it maneuverable enough to be able to fight in space, although this made it impossible to form the Cross Crusher. A beam machine gun (similar in appearance to an Uzi) was added for better long-range firepower. Heero Yuy later upgraded the Sandrock (albeit temporarily) with the ZERO System, against Quatre's protests, but only to help Quatre take command, because Heero would be busy fighting White Fang leader Zechs Merquise.
Gundam Sandrock was destroyed in Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz.
It should be mentioned that when Quatre self-detonated the first Sandrock, the Gundam's cockpit opened automatically, allowing Quatre to escape before his mobile suit exploded. This fact can be explained by a screenshot from later in the series, which refers to the "ALICE System". Short for Advanced Logistic & Inconsequence Cognizing Equipment, ALICE is a fully-sentient AI, featured in the ZZ Gundam side-story Gundam Sentinel. The ALICE System was originally tested in the S Gundam. Although it has never been clarified in the series, it is assumed a system similar to the ALICE system was implemented in the gundam W suits.
Besides the obvious visual differences between the "TV version" and "movie version" of the Sandrock Kai, there were a few relevant technical differences; the heat shotels are much larger in the movie version, which also has optional shoulder armor with cloak(TV Sandrock used a similar cloak in the manga's Sanc Kingdom battle). However, the beam machine gun and missiles are missing. The movie version also has a shield which allows it to perform the cross crusher attack, an ability which Sandrock Kai lacks. While the shield never appeared in the OVA, it was featured in the 1/144 model kit and various portrayed media.
Specifications
XXXG-01SR Gundam Sandrock
Manufacturer: Instructor H
User: Gundam Pilots/Sanc Kingdom
Unit type: mobile suit
First Deployment: AC 195
Head Height: 16.5 m
Weight: empty 7.5 t
Powerplant: ultracompact fusion reactor
Equipment and design features: self-destruct system
Armament: 2 x vulcan gun; 2 x missile; 2 x heat shotel; shield
Pilot/Affiliation: Quatre Raberba Winner (Gundam Pilots, Sanc Kingdom, Maguanac Corps)
XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Kai (TV version)
Manufacturer: Instructor H (with modifications by Howard)
User: Gundam pilots
Unit type: mobile suit
First Deployment: AC 195
Head Height: 16.5 m
Weight: empty 7.9 t
Powerplant: ultracompact fusion reactor
Equipment and design features: self-destruct system, ZERO System (installed by Heero Yuy, later removed)
Armament: 2 x vulcan gun; 2 x missile; 2 x heat shotel; shield, beam machine gun
Pilot: Quatre Raberba Winner
XXXG-01SR2 Gundam Sandrock Kai (OVA version)
Manufacturer: Instructor H (with modifications by Howard)
User: Gundam pilots
Unit type: mobile suit
First Deployment: AC 195
Head Height: 16.5 m
Weight: empty 7.9 t
Powerplant: ultracompact fusion reactor
Equipment and design features: self-destruct system
Armament: 2 x vulcan gun; 2 x heat shotel; shield
Pilot: Quatre Raberba Winner
External links
ja:ガンダムサンドロック