The thought experiment begins with the extra displacement the United States obtained for the Lexington conversions and applies a similar margin to a British capital ship. The design combines F3 form, Nelson-style armor, reversed boiler and engine spaces, and a three-shaft plant. A 38,000-ton version ought to approach 29 or 30 knots, while even a stricter design could aim for a dependable 28 knots. The result is a much faster ship whose speed and protection would force rival navies to rethink how they could contain it.
Notable Point · 14:23-17:38
A 38,000-ton fast Nelson built from F3 ideas
Relaxing the treaty displacement assumption produces an F3-like Nelson with heavier protection, rearranged machinery, three shafts, and roughly 29 to 30 knots.