Queen Elizabeth entered the war during a major reconstruction begun in 1937. Replacement engines and boilers formed part of work similar to Warspite's modernization. After 1939, British yards gave priority to projects that could be finished soon enough to affect the war. Queen Elizabeth's reconstruction paused, although new aircraft carriers and battleships faced longer interruptions. Her reconstruction still took four years, compared with three for Warspite.
Notable Point · 20:20-21:19
Queen Elizabeth's reconstruction competes with wartime construction
Queen Elizabeth's 1937-41 reconstruction is delayed as Britain gives priority to ships that can enter service sooner, though her pause is shorter than those of new capital ships.