Nelson and Rodney's all-forward battery provides a useful contrast with the needs of a reconnaissance cruiser. A battleship is more likely to close with an enemy or hold the line, which makes the arrangement questionable on a slow hull with little freedom to disengage. Using the class's unused margin up to the 35,000-ton treaty limit for a somewhat longer hull could have created room for more machinery and speed, although that extra length would also require more armour. Brooklyn's arrangement looks more convincing because its forward turrets could bear aft while the cruiser made smoke and withdrew.
Notable Point · 7:03-8:52
Why Brooklyn's firing arcs make less sense for Nelson and Rodney
A comparison with the Nelson-class battleships shows how firing arcs, hull length, treaty margin, machinery space, and the ability to disengage change the best turret arrangement.