Mecha OverviewThe third of these new prototypes to be produced by Anaheim was the RX-78GP03 Gundam, code-named "Dendrobium." The Dendrobium Stamen is the core component of the incredible weapons system known as the Gundam GP03. Designed to operate in conjunction with the armed base Orchis, the Stamen is equipped with tail binders to lock it in position, and its forearms unfold into special manipulator claws which are used to grab weapons from the Orchis's weapon containers. The Stamen was, for the most part, a standard type of mobile suit, although it did incoporate some differences from other "normal" Gundam prototypes. Instead of the costly Core Block System, the cockpit was of the panoramic cockpit display originally tested in the Gundam Alex. The usual head vulcan guns were absent, replaced by an advanced sensor and avionics package. The backpack was composed of a "docking binder" system to link up with and control the Orchis mobile weapon component. The arms also each incorporated a large, folding manipulator arm, which was used to retrieve the Stamen's own weapons from their storage racks in the Orchis' weapons container pods.
