What alternative follow-on designs did Germany consider for the Deutschland class?
Short answerThe planned D class kept six 11-inch guns but added displacement, protection, turbine power, and speed before Scharnhorst superseded it.
NotesA question about alternative Deutschland designs introduces the planned D class. At roughly 20,000 tons, the ships retained six 11-inch guns but added stronger protection, a speed near twenty-nine knots, and steam turbines producing about 123,000 shaft horsepower. Secondary and anti-aircraft batteries were also heavier than those of the earlier Panzerschiffe. The design shows German thinking moving toward a more credible fast capital ship before construction plans were overtaken by the Scharnhorst class.