Q&A · 1:26:58-1:31:07

Centerline triple turrets improve the Moltke layout

A layout answer uses Moltke to show how moving a battlecruiser's battery to the centerline improves firing arcs and simplifies the design.

Question

Could Moltke's turret-layout problems be reduced by using triple turrets on an A-Q-X centerline arrangement?

Short answer

Yes, although an A-X-Y centerline arrangement would remove the wing turrets while keeping the aft firepower concentrated.

Notes

Moltke's wing turrets complicate arcs and distribute the main battery inefficiently across the beam. Replacing them with triple centerline mountings would solve several of those problems and make more guns available on either broadside. An A-Q-X arrangement would work, but placing two turrets aft in an A-X-Y scheme could be cleaner. Centerline concentration became a durable solution as navies adopted larger multi-gun turrets.