A photograph of HMS Vanguard alongside HMS Saint James shows their visually similar fire-control directors. A reported debate asked whether scarce directors should go to the battleship or enable more Battle-class construction. Considering a different fit for Vanguard shows that the destroyer programme could compete with a capital ship for priority equipment. The choice illustrates the wartime value placed on fielding a larger number of capable fleet destroyers.
Notable Point · 27:31-28:40
Fire-control priorities: Battle class versus Vanguard
A reported debate over fire-control directors for HMS Vanguard or additional Battle-class ships shows how highly the destroyers were valued.