What if every British battleship became the fictional HMS Conqueror in 1939?
Short answerBritain would gain unmatched capital ships, sharply weakening Axis naval options and possibly changing Italy's decision to enter the war.
NotesReplacing the Royal Navy's battleships with the fictional Conqueror would give Britain a capital-ship force judged unmatched by anything available in 1939. The recalled specification combines twelve 16.5-inch guns with a speed corrected during the exchange to about 29.5 knots. Germany and Italy would face a much stronger British battle line, and Italy might decide against entering the war. That would also leave Japan in a different strategic position. Even Yamato is judged outmatched, while the United States would have to confront the sudden appearance of perhaps fifteen or more such British ships.