Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:47:59-1:48:49

A 45,000-ton F3-style Nelson class

Allowing Nelson displacement to rise to 45,000 tons around an F3 layout could produce a 30-knot ship with 16-inch guns.

16-inch GunsBattlecruisersCapital Ship DesignF3 BattlecruiserNelson Class Battleships
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Question

How fast could a 45,000-ton Nelson class built to an F3-style layout be?

Short answer

About thirty knots with 16-inch guns, making it as fast as some contemporary battlecruisers.

Notes

The historical treaty displacement forced Nelson and Rodney into a tightly constrained layout and speed. An F3-style design at 45,000 tons would have much more machinery and hull volume available. About thirty knots appears feasible while retaining 16-inch guns. That speed would equal some contemporary battlecruisers, blurring the operational line between a treaty battleship and a fast capital ship.