Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Notable Point · 41:45-43:31

An existing 4.5-inch plan makes mass conversion credible

Town-class and County-class cruisers extend the scenario because British planners already intended to convert much of the fleet once a common high-angle gun became ready.

4.5-inch Guns4.7-inch GunsAir DefenceAlternate HistoryCounty Class CruisersErnle ChatfieldNaval GunneryNaval ProcurementReginald HendersonRoyal NavyTown Class Light Cruisers (1936)
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Notes

Town-class and County-class cruisers could replace their four-inch batteries with high-angle 4.7-inch mounts. The scenario follows an existing idea: if the 4.5-inch gun had been ready in 1938-39, British planners intended to convert ships across the fleet as quickly as yards allowed. Henderson and Chatfield had pursued a unifying medium-calibre weapon through the failed five-inch project and the later 4.5-inch design. A mature high-angle 4.7-inch mount would fit that same standardization plan. Conversion could spread across the cruiser force and improve the protection available to convoys and merchant shipping.