Q&A ยท 2:09:19-2:09:38

British 14-inch guns for the Dutch Design 1047

Britain could have supplied its developed twin 14-inch turret, producing a six-gun Dutch Design 1047 battlecruiser.

Question

Could the Netherlands have bought British 14-inch guns for the Design 1047 battlecruisers?

Short answer

Yes; Britain would probably have supplied twin turrets, allowing a six-gun 14-inch design.

Notes

The Dutch Design 1047 was planned around 11-inch weapons, but the British had already developed a twin 14-inch turret. Britain would probably have been willing to sell that system to the Netherlands. Three twins would give the ship six 14-inch guns and move the project toward a much more powerful battlecruiser concept. Access to an ally's existing weapon and turret work can transform a smaller navy's design options.