If the Second World War began later and Britain completed several Lions and Vanguards, would more capital ships survive into the postwar fleet?
Short answerYes, especially the Lions, while a larger modern force would gradually displace the unmodernized R class and preserve only selected older ships after reconstruction.
NotesThe planned rhythm was roughly two Lion-class battleships and one Vanguard-type ship at a time, producing six Lions and perhaps three Vanguards alongside the five King George V-class ships. Britain was aiming at about twenty-one to twenty-four capital ships so the Home, Mediterranean, and Eastern fleets could each maintain a substantial squadron. Hood, Nelson, Rodney, and several Queen Elizabeths might receive major reconstructions while the unmodernized R-class ships retired as new hulls arrived. Spare 15-inch turrets from monitors and earlier ships could support more than one Vanguard before an R-class battleship had to be dismantled for guns.