The twin 4.5-inch mounts extended between decks rather than sitting entirely on the upper deck. Related weapons served on aircraft carriers and capital ships, making this an unusually substantial installation for a destroyer. A similar mount had also been considered for Henderson's earlier large L class. The Battle class gave a practical wartime outlet to an armament concept that had been considered before the war but not carried into that unbuilt design.
Notable Point · 12:19-14:05
Capital-ship 4.5-inch mounts in a destroyer
The Battle class used heavy twin 4.5-inch mounts associated with capital ships, giving the destroyers unusually substantial armament.