A longer-ranged Queen Elizabeth alternative

Would you discard the R-class battleships and build a second squadron of Queen Elizabeth-class ships instead?

Yes; the preferred alternative is a slightly enlarged Queen Elizabeth with longer range and twelve 15-inch guns, making it more useful beyond European waters.

This alternative prioritises strategic endurance and Pacific reach while retaining the successful core of the Queen Elizabeth class. A longer hull would carry more fuel and ammunition, giving the ships the range to operate beyond European waters. Four triple turrets would raise the main battery to twelve 15-inch guns. The counterfactual replaces the R class with a second, enlarged Queen Elizabeth squadron built around speed, range, and heavy firepower.