How extra battleships make reconstruction easier

A larger inherited battlefleet would allow more ships to enter reconstruction without removing such a large share of the force. Sending two of five ships away takes 40 percent out of availability, while two of eight represents 25 percent. Extra Queen Elizabeths and Renowns could therefore permit earlier or more regular modernisation, although they would not automatically preserve industrial capacity through the interwar downturn. Older Revenge-class battleships would still have useful convoy and bombardment duties. Their guns made them dangerous to cruisers, and even a stronger raider risked damage that could leave it vulnerable to pursuing British forces. More retained ships would allow that protection to be present with more convoys.