Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:47:23-3:50:15

Town cruisers and Renown imagined with modern weapons

A Belfast-style Town cruiser gains modern air defence in the ship-revival counterfactual, alongside a more fanciful reconstruction of Renown.

Counterfactual Warship DesignGas TurbinesHMS BelfastHMS RenownNaval Air DefenceSampson RadarTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)Type 83 Destroyer
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Question

Which Second World War ships would the panel revive, and how would they upgrade them?

Short answer

The first British proposal rebuilds a Town-class cruiser around helicopters, modern radar, missiles and gas turbines. A separate Renown proposal is a more fanciful heavily armed air-defence ship.

Notes

A Belfast-style Town-class cruiser is the first British choice in this imagined restoration of Second World War ships. The proposed reconstruction adds a helicopter deck and aircraft aft, a SAMPSON radar and missile system, and new gas turbines. The intended result resembles a Type 83 destroyer concept built within the older hull's outline. A separate Renown proposal combines missiles and air defence with fanciful nuclear 15-inch shells and smart ammunition for anti-drone work. These suggestions are counterfactual design sketches, with technical feasibility left untested.