Wing Gundam

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Wing Gundam technical data
Wing Gundam, redesigned Hajime Katoki version
Gundam Wing fictional continuity
Name:	Wing Gundam
Designation:	XXXG-01W Wing Gundam
Unit Type:	Gundam mobile suit
Manufacturer:	Lagrange 1 Colonies
Main pilot(s):	Heero Yuy
Height:	16.7 metres
Empty weight:	7.7 tons
Generator:	ultracompact fusion reactor
Armor material:	Gundanium alloy
Armaments
2 x vulcan gun; 2 x machinecannon; 1 x beam saber; buster rifle; shield
Special Equipment
Self-detonation device, "Bird Mode" conversion

XXXG-01W Wing Gundam (also referred to as Gundam Zero-One) is one of the five fictional Gundam mobile suits appearing in the Mobile Suit Gundam Wing anime series. It is one of the five Gundam mobile suits derived from the XXXG-00W0 Wing Gundam Zero, with both suits created by Doctor J. Wing Gundam is capable of flight; transforming into fighter aircraft mode (or "bird mode").

The original Wing Gundam was designed in 1995 by Kunio Okawara, along with many of the other mobile suits in the anime. The five 'second-stage' Gundams were later redesigned by Hajime Katoki for the 1997 OVA Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz. As the new designs became canonical, Katoki also created retcon designs for the original five Gundams, which were published in Newtype magazine.^[1]

[edit] Role in plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Wing Gundam is one of the five mobile suits sent to Earth as part of Operation Meteor; a plan whereby rebels would be able to weaken the controlling influence the United Earth Sphere Alliance and the Organization of the Zodiac held over the orbital colonies. Wing Gundam was launched from the cluster of orbital colonies located at the L1 Lagrange point, and was piloted by Heero Yuy.

Wing Gundam was the mobile suit used by the main character for episodes 1-17 Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, after which Heero abandons the suit, allowing him to return to space. Upon Heero's return to Earth, Heero resumes piloting the Wing Gundam until it is destroyed (Episodes 31-33). After this, Heero pilots Epyon, and later Wing Zero throughout the rest of the series.

Wing Gundam is destroyed on three occasions in the anime series. First, it is self-detonated in episode 10, after which Zechs Merquise rebuilds the suit. It is again destroyed in episode 33, following a heavy battle. Lady Une recovers the suit and has it repaired, before using it herself to save Treize Khushrenada in episode 46.

Despite being the Gundam from which the show's name is derived^{[citation needed]}, Wing Gundam is very poorly cared for (as shown by the above examples), Heero never seems to use it to its potential.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Major appearances outside Gundam Wing

Wing Gundam and its pilot, Heero Yuy, along with five other notable mecha and pilots from the various Gundam series, were recognized in the second set of "Anime Heroes and Heroines" stamps, released in Japan in 2005.^[2] Gundam was the second of only four franchises to be given the honor; the others were Pocket Monsters, Galaxy Express 999, and Detective Conan.