Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:32:12-1:35:02

King George V with 15-inch/45 guns

A battleship-gun answer traces a treaty change through turret layout, refits, elevation, range, and wartime engagements.

BattleshipsDenmark StraitKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Naval GunnerySecond London Naval Treaty (1936)
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Question

What if the Second London Naval Treaty imposed no 14-inch gun limit and King George V used modern 15-inch/45 guns?

Short answer

Britain would likely build nine-gun battleships and spread the lighter, longer-ranged 15-inch/45 into rebuilt capital ships, improving performance in the Mediterranean and at Denmark Strait.

Notes

Without the 14-inch limit, the likely King George V arrangement is three triple 15-inch turrets instead of the historical quadruple-and-twin scheme. The lighter modern gun could also fit rebuilt Renown and Queen Elizabeth-class ships, while higher elevation and stronger charges extend range. That combination could have mattered in the Mediterranean and at Denmark Strait.