How would British capital ships and the Washington treaty change if each gun generation increased by two inches?
Short answerBritain would enter the treaty era with a huge 16-inch advantage, forcing American catch-up and a substantially different settlement.
NotesA two-inch rather than one-and-a-half-inch caliber progression would give the Orion class 14-inch guns and the Queen Elizabeth class 16-inch guns. By the Washington conference Britain could possess thirteen 16-inch capital ships against only three American Colorados. That imbalance would make the historical treaty settlement untenable and probably allow more American construction before limits took effect.