Armor and guns alone did not make a fast battleship; sustained speed consumed machinery, fuel, and internal volume. As speed rises, each additional knot demands disproportionately greater power and machinery weight. The King George V class was poorly suited to sustained service as a fast wing, while the projected Lion class came closer to the requirement. A genuine fast battleship had to cruise at high speed over useful distances, not merely reach it briefly.
Notable Point · 51:31-53:07
The machinery cost of a true fast battleship
Sustained high speed demanded much more machinery, fuel, and hull volume than a short sprint, shaping the distinction between KGV and Lion designs.