What if the Queen Elizabeth-class battleships received fresh hulls, 15-inch/50 guns with 45-degree elevation, modern turbines, radar and antiaircraft weapons in 1939?
Short answerExtending the upgrade to the Revenge class produces ten fast battleships, stronger Atlantic and Mediterranean squadrons, and enough cover to refit Hood.
NotesThe ten-ship version of this scenario extends the requested Queen Elizabeth-class upgrade to the Revenge class. New machinery, 15-inch/50 guns elevated to 45 degrees, radar and stronger antiaircraft batteries would produce an estimated 28-knot battle line. That force could put four ships with the Home Fleet and three each at Gibraltar and Alexandria, while Nelson and Rodney covered Atlantic convoys. Hood could enter refit because Britain would have enough other fast capital ships available. Improved torpedo protection could also allow Royal Oak to survive, and fresh hulls would remove deterioration accumulated since the First World War. Germany would face much greater risk in Norway and in surface raiding, while Italy would face stronger British squadrons in the Mediterranean.