Unique attributes of the Astray Prototypes
This list will only cover features of the MS’s frame and Operating System, NOT external weaponry or backpacks. (Note that due to lack of properly translated material, I may get some facts wrong. If I do, check the original post on my blog to see if I’ve corrected it, and if I haven’t, send a message my way.)
MBF-P01 Gundam Astray Gold Frame
Original attributes:
Features unique hand plugs to allow it to use both ORB weaponry and that of the Earth Allience (the rest could only use ORB weaponry by default).
Later improvements:
Modified with parts from the Blitz Gundam (including its right arm) to provide stealth functions and given a third sensor on its head.
Internal Structure later modified to improve specifications by an estimated 30%
MBF-P02 Gundam Astray Red Frame:
Original attributes:
Designed with an experimental operating system to allow the suit to be operated by Naturals. However, this operating system wasn’t completed by the time ORB lost control of the suit, and aid (in this case an artificial intelligence system) was required for a natural to use the suit to its full potential. (This operating system went on to be perfected with the M1 Astray series of mass produced mobile suits.)
Able to discharge energy spheres from the palms (see notes below).
Later improvements:
OS optimized for use with physical swords.
Right Arm replaced with that of the Gold Frame. However, it is unknown if the arm retains its ability to use EA weaponry. Although this could be because such weaponry was never tried, possible reasons for loss of this function include but are not limited to OS Incompatibility and possible undocumented modifications by the pilot (detailed below).
Power cylinders of Powered Red equipment miniaturized and integrated into the arms.
MBF-P03 Gundam Astray Blue Frame:
Original Functions:
Contained specifications for a variety of optional equipment (see notes below).
Later improvements:
Upgraded with a head with improved sensors and armor, additional thrusters on the shoulders, and knives built into the feet (which were also modified to improve jumping power). Original head, shoulders, knees and toes kept and occasionally put back on the MS.
Cockpit redesigned with Trans-Phase armor: a layered system having foaming metal alloy on the outside and Phase Shift armor on the inside (made to only be activated if the exterior is breached thus conserving power.) Trans-Phase armor only present around cockpit so as to reduce mass.
MBF-P04 Gundam Astray Green Frame:
Original Functions:
Different sensor model compared to other Astray prototypes (Presumed to be better, although this is unconfirmed.)
Later improvements:
AI Combat Support system made by Lowe Guele (pilot of the red frame). Emphasizes defense, thus causing notable drop in performance if the pilot tries to go on the offensive.
MBF-P05:
Original Functions unknown
Later Improvements:
Upgraded to Mirage Frame (see notes)
Notes:
The Green Frame wasn’t assembled until after the attack on Heliopolis (although it was presumably present in an unassembled form. Both how it was removed from Heliopolis and how Londo Mina acquired it prior to giving it to Barry Ho are unknown.) Because of this, it is possible that the sensors weren’t in the original specifications. It is also possible that a far less developed AI support system was present. I’d probably be able to make better inferences about this if Frame Astrays was translated and I had translations of the 144th and 100th scale models’ manuals. Hint hint.
The Blue Frame’s weapon specifications were uploaded to the suit, likely immediately prior to the attack on Heliopolis (after all, what use would a pilot have for them normally?). Thus, it is possible (but unconfirmed) that this suit originally had no specialized features. Indeed, this would make it the perfect carrier for schematics of optional equipment meant to be used by all 5 prototypes. However, this makes it a bit strange that it’s unit 3 and not unit 1. Perhaps the suit was designed from the beginning to test optional equipment for the Astray series,
The Red Frame’s energy discharge feature was initially discovered as the accidental result of rerouting power to a physical sword which was dropped before the energy could be transferred to it (because it wasn’t made for that). Because of this, it is likely not a designed feature, and it is thus possible that this feature is present in some form on all Astray MS, with it having been input into the Red Frame’s OS for ease of use after its discovery. This indeed seems likely, as the Red Frame is still shown using it after its right arm has been replaced with that of the Gold Frame, although considering the pilot, he may have specifically modified the arm to replicate that functionality (however, the use of this function with the Gold Frame arm could simply be an error on the part of the artist/writer).
There exists a 5th prototype (its existence is possibly a reference to the fact that in the real world, there were plans for a “Gray Frame” very early in the planning for the series. The frame color of the Noir is possibly a reference to this as well, although somewhat less likely). However, it is only shown after it has been extensively modified into the “Mirage Frame”, thus, although it was likely designed with some specialized feature (considering that each other Astray unit appears to have had some admittedly minor unique attribute prior to the attack on Heliopolis), what the feature actually was is unknown (although it is certainly not the Phase Shift Armor, as ORB lacked that technology at the time of the creation of the prototypes). Also unlikely (although far less so) is the mirage colloid function, as that was only added to the gold frame through integration of parts from the Blitz Gundam. Given that the suits were made Parallel to the G Project MS, it is possible that this feature was a transformation system (similar to the one on the Aegis and MBF-P05′s later upgrade, the Mirage Frame.)
To my knowledge the Noir frame is not one of the prototype Astray Frames, but is rather a replica made during the Actaeon project. I am not certain of this however, as I don’t have a translated version of its manual, and I’ve only read summaries of Destiny B as opposed to full translations.
Somewhat unrelated, but DAMN do I hope we eventually get an HG or MG kit of the Command Astray.