Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:15:25-3:15:46

Britain still had a 15-inch gun pipeline in 1939

A viewer asks whether Britain could still obtain 15-inch guns or whether production had shifted entirely to the 14-inch weapon.

15-inch GunsBattleship ArmamentBL 15-inch Mark I Naval GunGun ReconditioningHMS AnsonHMS HoweHMS VanguardInterwar PeriodKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Lion Class BattleshipsNaval GunneryOrdnance ProductionRoyal Navy
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Was Britain still producing 15-inch guns in 1939?

Short answer

Yes; some new 15-inch guns were still being made, and many existing weapons could be reconditioned.

Notes

A British 15-inch gun pipeline still existed in 1939. New weapons were being produced to support the battleships that already carried the calibre. A larger pool of guns was also available through reconditioning. In this scenario, that supply could support a 15-inch conversion for Anson and Howe, accelerate Vanguard, or arm later Lion-class designs. Hull, machinery, and industrial constraints would remain, but access to the established weapon was not the limiting factor.