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After looking through several topics (both here and on the Gamefaqs Gundam board), I got an odd idea.

See, in the original Mobile Suit Gundam, a good part of the original Gundam show has the Gundam 'at risk because it's a prototype unit - and they need the combat data badly.' This data is given to the Federation Scientists and Engineers at Luna II, of course.

However, 08th MS Team shows a prototype GM running about just before the funeral for Garma Zabi - which really isn't enough time for someone to make up a few prototypes, much less a team of them, in that short period of time.

Admittedly, Sanders' Prototype GM could have been escorted by the legendary Zanny - but they make no mention of what his wingmates used to be.
And the impression of Sanders being the 'Grim Reaper' implies that he's been with other Mobile Suit teams - and they could easily also be GM prototypes.

Now, considering that the actual GM didn't show up until Jaburo, that got me thinking...

What if there was another side-project during the One Year War that was never mentioned? A project meant to build a mobile suit as fast as one can, as cheap as one can?

After talking it over with some friends - some from Gaia, some from Gamefaqs, we did come up with a sort of plan on how this would work.

Basically, while Operation V was under way, it was also decided to have a 'sub-project' at the same time - one that would produce more MS at the same cost.

Considering how Operation V progressed - making the Guntank first, then the Guncannon and finally the Gundam - I think we could trace the origin of the GM Project at around the time the first Guncannon was designed, if not a little earlier because the Prototype GM used solid ammo and not beam weaponry.

In any case, it would only be a small retcon to make the 'necessary data' into 'helpful data' that would move the GM Project along - though not 100% necessary in making the GM.

This would be especially true because the Ground GM was also working and running about at about the same time, and appeared to be for some time - proof that the Gundam's data was not entirely needed for MS mass production.

This GM Project would also explain the existance of the Ground Gundams in the first place. The official origin for that unit is that they were the leftover parts of Project V - and the GM Project would easily provide the parts needed to make them into the bastardized suits they became.
This makes a scary amount of sense when you consider how many parts the Ground Gundam and Ground GM share - only the heads and torsos appear to be different, the rest seems to be shared parts.

In any case, it would explain why the GMs were up-and-running when the White Base reached Jaburo as well - especially because it happened offscreen, the GM Project can be used as an excuse for that.

So, thoughts on the idea of a 'GM Project' running in the shadows behind 'Operation V?'

See, that's the thing.

The Zanny isn't a person. It's actually a mobile suit.

A prototype-prototype GM, if you will...

http://www.mahq.net/mecha/gundam/mobilityfleet/rrf-06.htm

It's made from a captured Zaku - and is the official predecessor to the GM, essentially.

In any case, I'm simply stating that we don't know if Sanders' escorts were piloting Zannys or other Prototype GMs - and the show doesn't tell us either one.

Hmm...

That is a good point.

So, I was probably right about the GM Project, but not about the timing then?

That makes sense.

Well, considering the fact that I've never been to Gundam Watch (found the site 2 days before it shut down... and then when I was actually able to get around to exploring it... it WAS shut down), and had never heard of the discussions mentioned, I'd say I did a decent job. neutral

I'm referring to the fact that the Website main page had said "We are closing our doors." - and no access to the site was permitted at all.

This was only reinforced when people I spoke to also said that it was closed down for good, and that GOUF was (in essence) the re-incarnation of Gundam Watch.

Like I said - that was long ago.

I have since found the new Gundam Watch and joined - though don't actually feel like posting and am content to lurk.

They could've just as easily been piloting captured Zakus or Ball mobile pods while their own mobile suits in development.