Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:22:21-2:23:07

Why mixed triple and twin turrets worsen a King George V redesign

Replacing the historical quad-and-twin arrangement with two triples and two twins adds another turret type without solving the class's basic weight problem.

BattleshipsKing George V Class Battleships (1939)MaintenanceNaval GunneryStandardisation
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Question

Would two triple and two twin turrets improve the King George V class?

Short answer

No; three standardized triple turrets would be less complicated and cheaper to support.

Notes

The King George V design originally contemplated three quadruple turrets before weight pressure produced the forward twin. A layout of two triples and two twins would retain mixed mountings while adding design and maintenance complications. If the Navy accepted triple turrets, three identical triples would be the cleaner solution. Standardization lowers construction, training, spares, and maintenance burdens even when it costs one gun compared with a mixed arrangement.