Britain could return to a familiar rhythm of ordering capital ships and keeping roughly eight yards busy across rolling programs. The American case is less straightforward because Republican funding politics could threaten completion of ships already ordered as well as further construction after the South Dakotas and Lexingtons. Japan might finish more of the 8-8 fleet sequence before making carriers the priority. Older Royal Navy 15-inch ships could remain active while 13.5-inch ships moved into reserve. Some of the newer battlecruisers might pass to Dominion or imperial service as replacements entered the British fleet.
Chapter · 36:08-45:40
Fleet choices without Washington limits
A no-Washington scenario contrasts Britain's steady capital-ship rhythm with American politics and Japanese fleet-plan pressures.