Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:42:23-1:43:26

How oversized guns can trap a cruiser between roles

Reusing 11-inch battlecruiser turrets on heavy cruisers would produce slow-firing ships conspicuous enough to attract capital-ship attention without capital-ship protection.

BattlecruisersHeavy CruisersNaval DoctrineNaval GunneryShip Design
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Question

Would it be worthwhile to reuse triple 11-inch battlecruiser turrets on new heavy cruisers while up-gunning the battlecruisers?

Short answer

Probably not. The cruisers would inherit a capital-ship rate of fire and threat profile without the protection needed to survive capital-ship attention.

Notes

Fitting two triple 11-inch turrets would give a cruiser capital-ship rates of fire without necessarily giving it capital-ship armor. Against ordinary cruisers, the slow battery could be a handicap; against battleships and battlecruisers, its conspicuous armament would make it a priority target. Reusing available weapons can distort a ship's tactical role when firepower, protection, and expected opponents are not considered together.