Q&A · 3:56:51

A British response to Tillman-style U.S. battleships

Britain could respond in the 1920s because its industrial base was still accustomed to major construction, likely with enlarged N3 or G3-type concepts.

Question

How would Britain respond if the U.S. built Tillman-class battleships?

Short answer

Britain could respond with enlarged N3- or G3-style designs, drawing on a still-active 1920s industrial base, though the exact ship is open to debate.

Notes

British infrastructure was better placed for an immediate response in the 1920s than it would be after a long period of construction dormancy. British designers would first assess the American ship's speed and other defining characteristics. They could then enlarge an N3- or G3-derived concept to produce a suitable answer. The design exercise also exposes the political issue beneath the hardware: building Tillman-style ships would invite an expensive new Anglo-American naval race.