An early standardized weapon could spread well beyond the Tribal class. The J through Z wartime destroyer families could inherit single or twin 4.5-inch mountings, giving the prewar and wartime force a dual-purpose main battery. The same production base would make 4.5-inch conversions attractive for C-class anti-aircraft cruisers, retaining more anti-surface power than their historical 4-inch armament. Standardization would reshape new construction and the weapons chosen to modernize older hulls.
Chapter · 20:02-24:25
Standardization spreads beyond the Tribal class
Once adopted for the Tribals, the 4.5-inch gun likely arms later destroyer classes and reshapes conversions of C-class anti-aircraft cruisers.