 The Nagato class was equipped with a unique heptapodal ( seven @-@ legged ) mast designed to maximize rigidity for range @-@ finding purposes and survivability under shellfire . It consisted of a thick vertical leg in the center surrounded by six outer legs . The central leg was large enough to accommodate an electric elevator running between the foretop and main deck . In November 1944 , the tops of Nagato 's mainmast and funnel were removed to improve the arcs of fire for her anti @-@ aircraft guns . 
