Prewar American battleships for Australia

What if an early AUKUS gave Australia three US battleships before the Second World War?

The panel selects three North Carolinas as a much stronger basis for Force Z, while noting their 1941 entry into service and distinguishing fast ships from slow standards.

The counterfactual depends on whether Australia receives slow standard battleships or fast ships. The North Carolina class is selected as the earliest modern American option, although its ships entered service in 1941, so the timing of the proposed prewar transfer needs that qualification. Three ships at about 28 knots could join a much stronger Force Z, probably with an Australian admiral in command. Slow standards receive a separate suggested trade-protection role. The later Singapore follow-up anticipates greater Japanese caution and a stronger aerial attack against five fast capital ships, without establishing that Singapore would be saved.