Enterprise had already shown that a twin 6-inch turret could replace two single mounts, making the E class a more flexible starting point than its age suggests. Possible layouts combine twin 6-inch and 4.5-inch dual-purpose turrets to preserve a useful surface punch while adding high-angle fire. Crown Colony triple turrets appear attractive because some might already be in production, but their much greater weight would impose unacceptable topweight on the older hull. Lighter twin mounts remain the more plausible basis for a mixed battery. Such a conversion would be dangerous to destroyers and capable of damaging a commerce raider whose mission depends on avoiding repair, but it still depends on turret rings, magazines, stability, and practical yard work.
Notable Point · 16:33-22:03
Could E-class cruisers carry a mixed battery?
Enterprise's existing twin 6-inch turret prompts a design exercise in combining 6-inch guns with 4.5-inch dual-purpose mounts on E-class hulls.