Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:21:00-2:21:56

How Britain might use a rediscovered set of 18-inch guns

Wartime discovery of six usable 18-inch guns would prompt the Royal Navy to redesign whichever available battleship could accept them soonest.

18-inch GunsAlternate HistoryHMS VanguardKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Naval GunneryWarship Conversion
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Question

Would the Royal Navy fit rediscovered 18-inch guns to Vanguard during the 1940 invasion scare?

Short answer

Yes, if Vanguard could take them; otherwise an available King George V-class hull such as Howe might be modified instead.

Notes

Six 18-inch guns and three twin turrets are rediscovered in this counterfactual during the 1940 invasion scare. The Royal Navy would probably use such a powerful existing asset rather than leave it in storage. Vanguard could be modified to take the turrets if her design and schedule allowed it. If a King George V-class hull offered a faster route, Howe is the alternative candidate. The available weapon could reshape the ship programme built around it.