Battleship turret, radically up-gunned
The turret is a dramatically up-gunned take on Bismarck's twin 380 mm turret, scaled up to mount Schwerer Gustav-style guns. Its cylinder-loading system takes inspiration from French tank autoloaders.
Its primary armament is a pair of 800 mm guns. Two shell cylinders at the rear provide a twelve-round ready supply; further ammunition is delivered by logistics trucks and hoisted aboard.
Spider-like movement system
Four articulated leg assemblies surround the central turret, giving the Iron Nest its spider-like stance and allowing the entire artillery platform to relocate. Movement orders are issued through the requisition system rather than through the normal gun-laying controls.
The walking system supports repositioning; it does not replace turret rotation. Bearing is still set at the Rotator station before a shot.
Interior layout
A single Operator moves between stations that would normally be crewed by separate specialists. The layout below shows how the workflow runs from receiving an order at the rear of the turret to loading, laying and firing the two guns.
- Receiver (High Command / Field Reports) — receives mission orders, reports and battlefield messages.
- Tactical Map — locates targets and provides grid position, bearing and distance measurements.
- Ballistic Calculator — converts distance and charge selection into the required gun elevation.
- Loader Left/Right — select shells, prepare powder charges and load each gun independently.
- Elevation Console — sets the required vertical angle for the guns.
- Rotation Console — traverses the turret to the measured bearing.
- Fire Control Console — readies the selected gun or guns and releases the shot.
- Requisition Table — exchanges Requisition Credits for supplies, reconnaissance and relocation actions.
