A 28-knot Rodney would close an Atlantic contact more quickly and remain in range longer than the historically worn ship that strained her machinery while pursuing Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. The German ships' 11-inch guns reflected the limits of the industrial capability available when they were designed, leaving them badly outmatched by nine British 16-inch guns and heavier armor. Five fast Nelson alternatives also make it plausible that Rodney would hunt with a sister rather than alone. During the Norwegian campaign, additional 28-knot battleships able to answer Renown's contact report could trap or badly damage the German pair. Losing those commerce raiders early would alter later Atlantic operations, although the stronger Allied baseline might also deter or postpone the original German gamble.
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Faster British capital ships close German escape routes
A deeper pool of 28-knot British capital ships makes encounters with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau more likely to become battles rather than escapes.