CANNON TORTOISE[58]

The Cannon Tortoise is a turtle-type Zoid developed by the Helic Republic during the Central Continent War[60]. Technical officer Roy J. Thomas was involved in its development and also piloted it[62].

It appears in both the Central Continent War (1st series) and Western Continent War (2nd series). In the 1st series, the unit’s primary role was fortress and pillbox assault, with heavy armor and its assault cannon[59]. Because it was tougher than the Gustav, some sources describe it as being able to withstand attacks while approaching and then destroy targets in close-range combat[63]. Other sources describe it as being reassigned to heavy artillery support duties from the mid-to-late Central Continent War[60].

The head was equipped with a mechanism to retract into the body when under attack[60]. After surviving the Planet Zi Great Catastrophe of ZAC 2056, upgraded units with enhanced firepower continued to be deployed during the Western Continent War.

It was highly versatile, with variations such as an assault tank type with thicker frontal armor for better shell penetration, and a transport type with an enlarged body[60][注 12]. Anti-air cannons were also retained, giving it high survivability[58]. Though limited, it could also fight in shallow water[11][65][注 13].

In this setting, the Cannon Tortoise is treated as an amphibious assault-type Zoid with the ability to transport troops and supplies[66]. → See also: “ZOIDS concept art § Appearing Zoids”

In this setting, it was developed for “Operation X-Day,” a mission to liberate areas occupied by the Empire. Its base was the civilian work Zoid *Work Tortoise 203*, developed by the company “Zoids Workers.” The RZ-type developed during the Western Continent War was equipped with a Charged Particle Cannon made possible by an energy control system derived from *Glorbalie III*[64].

(Old) refers to Central Continent War (1st series) equipment names. (New) refers to Second Intercontinental War (2nd series) equipment names.

• Assault Cannon (Old) / Liquid-Cooled Charged Particle Beam Cannon (New)

Main gun of the Cannon Tortoise.

  In the Central Continent War, this was the assault cannon, primarily for fortress and pillbox attacks.  
  Sources note it carried few rounds and, in its normal short-barrel version, lacked effectiveness against Zoids, leading to long-barrel and resupply-vehicle variants[59].  
  However, in the Battle Story it is shown destroying an Iguan with this weapon[67].  
  Other sources also describe it as serving in rear-support roles from the Central Continent War era[60].  
  By the Western Continent War, the main weapon had been replaced with a liquid-cooled charged particle beam cannon, greatly strengthening its firepower.  
  This version was positioned as an ultra-long-range bombardment weapon, active in nighttime and long-distance attacks[60].  

• Twin Anti-Air Cannons (Old) / Liquid-Cooled Twin High-Speed Auto-Cannons (New)

Two mounted on the machine’s back.

• Anti-Air Radar (Old) / Composite Sensor Unit (New)

Mounted on the back.

• Recoil-Control Spikes (New)

Located on the tail.

• Infrared Projector

Equipped on the port side of the back via an option latch in the HMM version[64][注 14].

In ZAC 2037, when the Ultrasaurus was captured by the spy commando Echo, Cannon Tortoises, supported by Gojulases and others, succeeded in firing upon the canopy of the Ultrasaurus, contributing to its recapture[68].

In August, ZAC 2099, they provided covering fire alongside Gordos in order to ensure the success of a high-speed unit operation[69].

In *Zoids Material Hunters*, it appears in an arranged design based on the *Zoids Concept Art* version[70].

Takara Tomy Version An award-winning design from the 2nd round of the fan contest “X-Day”[71]. Powered by a small wind-up Power Unit. Each one-piece molded limb (excluding armor) is driven, and by means of a simple four-legged walking gimmick, the unit moves forward. Because the heavy body must be moved, the walking mechanism was designed with a short stride and light load. As a result, despite appearances, it belongs to one of the longer-endurance types among Zoids using the small wind-up unit.

The linked gimmick is an extendable/retractable neck. Manual gimmicks include: opening and closing of the cockpit canopy (head, rear hinge), opening and closing of the rear container hatch (with troop transport seats inside for pilot figures), and elevation of each weapon.

RMZ-27 Cannon Tortoise Released in August 1986. Listed as one of the Heavy Armor Specials.

RZ-013 Cannon Tortoise Released in October 1999.

Buster Tortoise (Takara Tomy Limited) A Cannon Tortoise with changed molding colors and stickers, bundled with Customize Parts CP-05 Large-Caliber Beam Cannon Set. Released around March 27, 2003, as a limited kit sold through Happinet-affiliated stores. The kit’s shape was identical to Cannon Tortoise BC.

HMM Series – Cannon Tortoise Released March 2009 as the 11th entry in the HMM line. It was heavily arranged with tank-like design features such as turret rotation and additional armor, emphasizing its robust impression. Because the turret rotation gimmick removed the rear hatch deployment, this was replaced with body side hatch deployment and an internal cabin. It could also transform into an original HMM form in which the mouth, head, and limbs retract into the body (according to setting, an underwater diving form). However, the antennae added to the composite sensor unit were extremely thin and prone to breakage, requiring great care in handling.

HMM Series – Buster Tortoise Released November 2009 as the 14th entry. Based on the Buster Tortoise setting from *Zoids Battle Story EX (Mousou Senki)*, it featured original modifications such as changing the howitzer beneath the beam cannon into a cylinder. The main gun was redesigned into the Long Range Buster Cannon, an improved version of the Large-Caliber Beam Cannon.

An RZ-013 Cannon Tortoise equipped with the Customize Parts CP-05 Large-Caliber Beam Cannon Set. It was developed because the liquid-cooled charged particle beam cannon was insufficient for rear support fire. Although the added weight caused a significant drop in mobility, its long-range firepower and bombardment ability were further improved[74]. Shock absorbers were newly installed to compensate for the increased recoil when firing[74].

The name “Cannon Tortoise BC” was used when it was published in *Official Fan Book 2*[54]. BC stands for “Beam Cannon”[75]. In *Monthly CoroCoro Comic* and the game *Zoids 2: Helic Republic vs. Guylos Empire*, it was called Cannon Tortoise Heavy Gun[76][34]. In the *Zoids Battle Card Game*, it appeared as Cannon Tortoise HBG[72]. Other sources also refer to it as Cannon Tortoise Beam Cannon[77] or Cannon Tortoise S[78].

Battle Story In June, ZAC 2100, during the battle from Yupiter Port to the Deldaros Sea, Cannon Tortoise BCs fired alongside other Zoids from the deck of Neo-Turtleships in response to a Sinker ambush[79].

Anime In episode 45 of *Zoids: Chaotic Century*, it appeared under the name Cannon Tortoise Heavy Gun. It was deployed to the Imperial Dragon Head Fortress, where it intercepted Storm Sworder Stealth Types. In this depiction, the liquid-cooled charged particle beam cannon had been removed, and a cylinder connected to the large-caliber beam cannon was added in its place.

Manga In the *Zoids Battle Story* comic published in *Shougaku Ninensei*, it was piloted by Guardian Force Lieutenant Tuttle. After supporting the Lightning Division, it provided covering fire to aid the Blade Liger, which had been captured by the Geno Breaker[80].

A machine based on the highly trusted RZ-013 Cannon Tortoise, equipped with a large-caliber beam cannon to enhance firepower and range[82]. There exist both blue and gray color schemes, though ace pilots often repainted their units in personal colors[82].

In this version, it is treated as the Cannon Tortoise BC piloted by Lieutenant Ron Aesop, modified with his personal fire-control adjustments and indirect-fire capabilities, and armed with the high-output 720mm Long-Range Buster Cannon[83]. The anti-fortress 780mm howitzer present in the Tomy version of the Buster Tortoise was omitted.

Battle Story - August, ZAC 2101: Appeared in the battles from the Trim Highlands to the Bifrost Plateau on the Nyx Continent[84]. - October, ZAC 2101: Seen again during the outbreak of all-out war across the Nyx Continent[85].

Manga First appeared in the webcomic *Zoids Mōsō Senki* (“Delusional War Chronicle”) in the story *Parent and Child Game*. Under dry atmospheric conditions, its effective range was said to reach approximately 100 km. The record shot was achieved by the ace sniper of the Helic Republic Army, Lieutenant Ron “Buster” Aesop—the very pilot whose nickname gave the Zoid its name.

He used the unit to rescue his son, Captain Peter Aesop (pilot of the Blade Liger Mirage), and his comrades. However, in doing so, the Buster Tortoise’s weakness—that beam weapons can only fire in straight trajectories—was exploited, and the machine was lost.

Afterward, Lieutenant Buster Aesop was issued a Cannoneer Gordos. In *Zoids Mōsō Senki*, the large-caliber beam cannon is depicted as such a massive device that it covered the howitzer mounted below it.

Also referred to as Cannon Tortoise (Opis Specification). A modified Cannon Tortoise appearing in the game *Zoids Saga*. It is the personal machine of the Four Heavenly Kings’ Opis, with reinforced armor and weaponry.

Introduced as a variation on the back of the RMZ-27 Cannon Tortoise package. The assault gun was replaced with a 42-caliber 220mm cannon, a long-barrel weapon with high muzzle velocity【59】.

In the game Zoids -ZOIDS- Resurrection of the Evil God! ~Genobreaker Chapter~, it appears under the name “Cannon Tortoise”【注 5】.

Introduced as a variation on the back of the RMZ-27 Cannon Tortoise package. This type was developed to support the Cannon Tortoise, which carried only a small number of rounds. Equipped with an ammunition supply rail, it could automatically feed rounds, enabling prolonged bombardments【59】.

In the game Zoids -ZOIDS- Resurrection of the Evil God! ~Genobreaker Chapter~, it appears under the name “Supply Tortoise”【注 5】. The in-game Zoids Encyclopedia describes it as: “In the past, it carried too few rounds, so a supply vehicle was necessary,” suggesting that the Cannon Tortoise’s ammunition capacity issue was later improved.

Featured in the March 1988 issue of the grade-school magazine Shougaku Ninensei. This version replaced the standard assault cannon with a quad anti-aircraft gun, reconfigured for anti-air use【87】.

It also appeared in Zoids Battle Story 3, where it successfully shot down a Saicurtis that was transporting supply materials【88】.

A modified Cannon Tortoise that appeared in episode 34 of the anime Zoids -ZOIDS-. Also referred to as the Double Tortoise Super Cannon (commonly shortened to “Super Cannon”)【55】.

The Super Cannon was originally an armament developed for the Gojulas, but due to Gojulas production delays, the equipment was instead mounted on two linked Cannon Tortoises as an alternative. This configuration excelled as a stationary artillery platform, specializing in long-range supporting bombardment from the rear【55】.

The design was handled by Masashi Katahira. It was originally a rejected concept for a customization parts set that was later repurposed for the anime【89】.

A modified Cannon Tortoise that appeared in episode 12 of the anime Zoids: New Century / Slash Zero. This was Harry Champ’s personal unit from Team Champ. Its main cannon was replaced with a Plasma Particle Cannon.

The name is sourced from the Zoids Encyclopedia (ISBN 978-4-7968-7056-6).

A modified Cannon Tortoise that appeared in episode 49 of the anime Zoids: Chaotic Century. Its weaponry was replaced with an observatory-style viewing platform instead of standard armaments.

A design published in Dengeki Hobby Magazine. This version featured a triple-mounted liquid-cooled charged particle gun, while propellant tanks were added to the flanks to extend operational time. The concept originated from an unused sketch for unproduced customization parts.

Said to be the prototype design of the Cannon Tortoise, developed by the civilian company Zoids Workers. Its body was fitted with internal and upper cargo/transport spaces.

According to additional notes by Sgt. Yamazaki (who contributed a model example in Dengeki Hobby Magazine), the “203” designation refers to a ZAC 2030s production model.