A series explaining the mechanics of battleships and other vehicles appearing in the remake series of Space Battleship Yamato from Yamato 2199 to REBEL 3199. The eighth installment focuses on the Galman-Garmillas’ Special First Class Space Battle Carrier Deusula III. In Yamato 2205, it fought alongside Earth’s 65th Escort Squadron against the Dezarium fleet, but in 3199, it stands in the way of the Yamato.
by Yuka Minagawa
Specifications and Performance
Class: Special First-Class Space Battle Carrier
Length: 402 m
Total height: 102.4 m
Total width: 98.6 m
Sections and weaponry
1) Bridge
2) Matter Transfer Device
3) Towing Beam Irradiation Hatch
4) Small Ship Launching Door (removed during conversion to Dessler-class, only shape remains)
5) Landing Gear Door
6) Ascent Nozzle
7) Aircraft lift
A) Wave-Motion Gun (Gesh Darbam, also known as “Dessler cannon”) x 1 [Bow]
B) 480mm quadruple positron cannon turret x 2 [Turret No. 1, Turret No. 3]
C) 480mm triple positron cannon turret x 1 [Turret No. 2]
D) Anti-aircraft / anti-ship missile turret x 10 [Both sides of bridge base (close-in defense weapon)]
E) Quadruple anti-aircraft turrets x 6 [Both sides (close-in defense weapon)]
F) 330mm triple positron beam turret x 12 [Both sides of bridge base, both sides of gun battle deck]
G) Missile launcher x 12 [Both sides of gun battle deck]
H) Positron beam launcher x 12 [Both side gun decks]
I) Proximity defense mine launcher × 52 [Both decks (center when on the gun battle deck, broadside when on the flight deck])
J) Torpedo tubes x 4 [front of bridge]
Dessler Cannon
It is said that Ghader Talan, who thought it would be possible to install a Dessler cannon in the large internal space below the rotating deck, ordered the remodeling. However, the existing Dessler cannon did not fit, so a new, smaller one was developed and installed.
Close-range defensive mines
Released from the center when in battle deck mode and from both sides when in flight deck mode. Capable of firing up to 28 rounds per side, for a total of 56 rounds. Cluster bomb-type, with submunitions that explode upon approaching the target or autonomously attach to the target and explode.
Geshtam Wall
Adopted as part of enhanced ship defense functions, this system complements the existing Migovezar coating (magnetically modified special coating). It operates on the same principle as the wave barriers widely used on Earth-based vessels, enabling pinpoint deflection of objects, similar to Yamato.
Deusula III is a space battle carrier combining the characteristics of a battleship and a space carrier. It is capable of independent combat operations, and was constructed as a special first-class ship with fleet command functions.
The construction plan was initiated as a new first-class ship prioritizing mobility, reflecting the lessons learned from the “big gun, big ship” philosophy of the Zoellegut-class first-class space battleships. It was developed simultaneously with the Gelvades-class space combat carrier. However, the plan was repeatedly suspended due to complex construction processes, high construction costs, and unresolved technical issues.
Construction resumed after the collapse of the Dessler regime, when Abelt Dessler informed Prime Minister Redof Hyss (at the time) of the impending demise of Planet Garmillas, leading to a reconciliation between the Dessler faction and Democratic Garmillas. A multi-purpose vessel capable of long-range navigation while retaining command ship functions, yet smaller than the Zoellegut class, was deemed necessary for the search for habitable planets.
Amid the construction of a large number of immigrant ships, it was determined that completion on the homeworld was impossible, and building resumed at the 23rd Shipyard Colony Planet, where it was eventually completed. This colony planet was developing an ultra-Gelvades-class large transport ship as a space carrier and transport vessel for long-range voyages. The same ship was provided by Democratic Garmillas as Dessler’s flagship during the final stages of the Gatlantis War (though it is said that the ultra-Gelvades-class was inspired by the structure and shape of the Gelvades-class, it had no direct connection to the plan).
Originally intended as the flagship of an exploration fleet, the vessel was instead assigned to Dessler’s fleet for a capture operation after the discovery of Planet Galman, a colony under the control of the Bolar Federation. Upon completion, the ship was transferred to Dessler’s side with its red hull color, indicating it was a prototype, and was named Deusula III. The super Gelvades-class space transport Neu Deusula did not bear the Deusula name because parts of the core ship from Deusula II were still in use.
Like the Gelvades-class, this ship is equipped with a rotating deck, with the underside of the flight deck serving as a gun deck. Dessler cannons (wave cannons [Gesh Darbam]) are mounted beneath the rotating deck, and the bow is equipped with a matter transfer device. Additionally, for enhanced defensive capabilities, a Geshtam Wall (wave barrier), developed with Earth’s technological assistance, has been adopted.
The bridge section faced significant challenges during construction and was initially planned as an independent combat command ship. To reduce the ship’s size, it was intended to be smaller than the Zoellegut class, but due to delays in developing engines capable of meeting the required performance after separation, the separation function was abandoned to shorten the construction schedule.
Following the Galman capture operation, this ship served as the flagship of the Garmillas Fleet alongside Earth’s 65th Escort Squadron during the Iscandar Incident in 2205, facing off against the Dezarium Fleet. By the time of the Galman-Garmillas Federation’s establishment in 2206, it was the sole Dessler Cannon-equipped vessel in the Galman-Garmillas Space Fleet. It has been deployed as the flagship of the mobile strike fleet to various fronts to utilize its firepower.
Talan had previously proposed to Dessler to repaint Deusula III in “Noble Blue,” but Dessler ordered it to remain in its test ship color scheme. This decision was reportedly made in consideration of its current status as the flagship of the mobile strike fleet, having been relieved of its role as Dessler’s personal flagship.
I get the impression that this beautiful vessel hasn’t yet received the attention it so well deserves. I say this because I don’t see Bandai releasing a 1/1000 kit. But also because the mechakore version is one of the few Yamato kits that hasn’t gone up in price, at least here in the U.S. I know that I personally wasn’t too impressed when I saw the first images of it. I was already satisfied with the Gelvades or Darold design. But I quickly started realizing that this is no Gelvades. They do have a similar silhouette from certain angles. But this one is a much more menacing beast of a machine, on closer inspection. It is bulkier overall, and the weapons are larger. Even the design elements are those of harder and sharper lines, giving it a more aggressive and intimidating demeanor. In the 70’s and 80’s we had one version of a red carrier appear earlier on and then reappear unchanged years later. But 2205 gave us a second and entirely redesigned red carrier for Dessler. I do hope fans realize these things and that Bandai gives us a larger kit.
Whats the name part of the ship that stated as K?
Good question. That was left out of the original text.
yeah