Gordos

The Gordos is a type of Zoid, a race of mechanical lifeforms from the fictional "Zoids" universe.Zoids
Zoid_name = Gordos
ImageName =
Caption = "New Japanese Release" Gordos
Model_number = RZ-008
Faction = Helic Republic
Zoid_type = Stegosaurus
Crew = 2
Weight = 199
Length = 30.3
Height = 15.1
Speed = 80 km/h
Weapons = 105mm High Speed Railgun, AMD Double Barrelled 30 mm Beam Cannon, TRZ 20 mm Linear Laser Gun, ARZ 20 mm Beam Gun, Panova 20 mm Surface to Air Beam Gun (2), Maxer 30 mm Multipurpose Machine Gun (2), Hyper Bite Fang, Titanium Spikes
Equipment = 3D Radar Array

Overview

The Gordos is a Stegosaurus-type Zoid created by the Helic Republic.

Based on the Bigasaur and Mammoth, the Gordos was a considerable improvement over both of them. The Zoid was designed to act as a command and control platform, as well as providing long-range fire support. While not as well armoured as the Gojulas, the Gordos boasted superior long-range capabilities. To back up its weapons, the Zoid was armed with a quartet of thagomizer spikes on its tail.

The true strength of the Gordos lay not in its firepower, but in its sensor array. The Zoid was equipped with a powerful long-range radar and communications system, one of the most powerful ever mounted on a Zoid.

Battle Story appearances

The Gordos was deployed by the Helic Republic alongside the Gojulas in ZAC 2029. The Gordos was initially very effective against the smaller Zenebas Zoids. Although the new Iron Kong proved to be its superior, the Gordos still remained a capable platform. As more arrived, the Zoid became the main heavy combat Zoid of the Republic's forces.

In ZAC 2035, the Gordos was upgraded with the Republic Supercannons, greatly expanding its firepower and capabilities. The Zoid remained in service, but was gradually phased out in favour of the smaller and more flexible Gorhecks.

The ZAC 2056 meteor disaster destroyed the Gorhecks design, along with the technology needed to produce its sophisticated radar array. As a result, the Republic resumed production of the Gordos for its forces. The Zoid became a key part of the new Republic army, being one of its heaviest and most powerful Zoids.

Media appearances

Anime

Chaotic Century and Guardian Force

Many Gordos were seen throughout Zoids: Chaotic Century. The most notable of these was also the first one seen; a white Gordos with a cyan colored canopy, introduced in episode 3. The White Gordos formerly belonged to a commander in the original war 50 years prior to the story, staged in a hidden fortress. When the zoid suffered from a damaged leg, the commander and his men were forced to abandon the Zoid at the fortress. The White Gordos did not know that it had been abandoned, and faithfully stayed and defended the fortress, waiting for its friends to return to it one day. Despite its damaged leg, it still fought to defend Van and Fiona from Irvine, (who, at the time, was an antagonist trying to capture Zeke), and even freed Van whom had been trapped under rubble by Irvine.

Another Gordos belonged to Captain Hermann, and he piloted one at the battle of Red River and again while defending New Helic city.

A whole herd of Gordos defending a military base would battle Raven's Geno Saurer, but all of them were easily dispatched. More Gordoses would be seen offering support fire during the battle against the first Death Saurer.

The Gordos saw less action in Guardian Force, though a golden Gordos with a magnetic pole launcher would be seen in the possession of some bandits, along with similarly coloured Command Wolves. The Gordos would battle Van's Blade Liger and be easily dispatched.

The White Gordos walked with a limp due to an injury in its front leg. For some reason, this animation carried on to other Gordoses depicted in the series. The animation error was never corrected, giving the Gordos a distinctive "shuffling" walk-cycle.

New Century Zero

The Gordos only appears once in "", making a brief cameo as one of the Zoids Harry Champ had in his collection.

UK Zoids Comic

In the UK Zoids Comic, Gorgon was one of the lead Zoids of the Blue Zoid army. A veteran of many campaigns, Gorgon had been instrumental in the conquest of numerous planets during the golden age of the Zoidariyan Empire. After the fall of the empire, Gorgon joined the Blue Zoids in fighting off the Red Mutants.

Gorgon's Mindrider was killed when Heller and The Namer took control of his Zoid for their own. The Zoid served as a combination of mobile base and transport for the stranded humans for much of the comic's run. It was also briefly used by Redhorn after the destruction of his own Zoid body.

Models

Original Japanese Release

*Assembly required. (Snap-together, no glue needed. Scissors or X-acto knife recommended for trimming off excess plastic bits.)
*The model's colours are moulded into the plastic, and it does not need any paint.

The Gordos kit comes on six frames; one is shared with the Bigasaur, another with the Mammoth and a third is a weapons frame also shared with the Mammoth, Bigasaur and Gojulas. The model kit also included a battery-powered motor, canopy cover, thirty-two rubber caps, a frame of washers, two metal weights, two small chromed pilots, and label sheets. The Gordos is moulded in grey, dull green, and dull grey, with grey weapons and an orange canopy.

The Gordos’ construction is reasonably involved and complex. Particular care must be taken with the tail, as the point of connection with the body is very fragile and easily broken. The Gordos uses a pair of “C” sized batteries for motion. Once activated, the Zoid walks forwards, swinging its head form side to side while opening its jaws.

Like several other Zoids of the time, the Gordos could use a number of different optional weapons that were included in the Republic Customise Set. The Gordos was released in 1984, and was produced up until about 1986.

Original European Release

The Gordos was re-released as a part of the "Original European Release" in the UK and Europe from 1985 to 1986. This version, renamed as Great Gorgon, was recoloured in grey and flat black, with blue caps.

Robostrux

The Gordos was released in the U.S. as a part of the "Robostrux" line, under the name Gordox. The Zoid was recoloured in tan, dull red and white with a green canopy and red caps.

New Japanese Release

The Gordos was re-released in Japan in 1999, as a part of the first wave of the "New Japanese Release". This version had a lighter colour scheme compared to the "OJR" version, and was released with light grey pilots instead of gold.

New American Release

The Gordos was released as part of the "New American Release" under the name Gordosaur. Only one weight was provided in the package, being the only change to the contents of the model kit.

Leftover "NAR" Gordos kits were later released in Australia. The Zoid was not a part of the "New Pacific Release".

New English Release

The Gordos was released in the UK as a part of the "NER" in 2004. The Zoid was identical to the "NAR" version, and may have been made up of leftover stock.

Cannoneer Gordos

This version was released in Japan as a part of the 'Yuji Kaida' limited edition series in 2004. The Zoid was recoloured in dull blue, light blue and gold with red caps. Additionally, it came with three frames from the Republic Customise Set.