The class mounted eight 8-inch guns in four twin turrets whose high elevation allowed anti-aircraft use in theory and long-range plunging fire in practice. Four-inch weapons, pom-poms, and eight torpedo tubes supplemented the main battery, although the torpedoes were removed from 1935 to release weight. Berwick carried sixteen two-pounders in two octuple mounts, while her sisters had eight in two quadruple mounts. Thin belts, decks, and turret armour protected the ships, with later improvements reaching only selected members of the class. Steering gear received slightly more deck protection than the duplicated machinery spaces because the ship had only one steering system. The scheme was flexible and serviceable for a cruiser, though still light for a vessel conventionally called heavy.
Notable Point · 39:02-40:52
Eight-inch guns and light protection
The Kents carried eight 8-inch guns and useful secondary weapons, but their limited belt and deck protection reveal the compromise behind the treaty label.