What would the Deutschland class look like if designed as a 22-knot coastal battleship?
Short answerArmament would stay similar and the belt might grow from about 3.1 inches to 4-5 inches, but six knots of sacrificed speed does not free enough weight for a dramatic transformation.
NotesThe diesel machinery was not heavy enough for a modest speed reduction to buy a new turret or battleship-level protection. The historical design was a serviceable product of damaged German infrastructure, but it was no exceptional ship of the kind later publicity implied.