Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:20:09-5:21:23

A 15-inch/45 gun for King George V and older battleships

The preferred 15-inch/45 gun could equip new King George V ships while improving the range and commonality of older 15-inch-gunned capital ships.

Fleet ModernisationHMS HoodKing George V Class Battleships (1939)Naval GunneryQueen Elizabeth Class BattleshipsRevenge Class Battleships
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Which main-battery guns would you choose to upgrade the King George V class, and why?

Short answer

A 15-inch/45 gun in triple turrets, because the same lighter weapon could improve elevation and range in older 15-inch mountings while simplifying fleet commonality.

Notes

The preferred alternative is a 15-inch/45 gun, ideally in triple turrets on the King George V class. The same weapon could then equip older 15-inch-gunned ships during their reconstructions. It is described as lighter than the existing 15-inch/42, allowing greater elevation and longer range in the older mountings. The proposed KGV battery has nine guns, or possibly ten if quadruple turrets are retained. A new 16-inch gun would offer less commonality because it would differ from the Nelson class's existing weapon. The attraction is a fleet-wide improvement, especially for less-modernised Revenge-class ships.