A quick-firing 130 mm gun makes rebuild weight the limiting factor

How would a quick-firing 130 mm gun change Queen Elizabeth and Illustrious-class rebuilds?

It would improve heavy secondary and anti-aircraft fire, but its greater weight could force fewer mounts and other reductions elsewhere in the ships.

A rapid-firing 130 mm weapon would give a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship a heavier secondary battery and an Illustrious-class carrier stronger heavy anti-aircraft fire. The mount, ammunition, handling spaces, and supporting structure would weigh more than the 4.5-inch installation it replaces. Designers would therefore have to remove weight elsewhere or accept fewer guns, perhaps six mounts rather than eight. The exact arrangement would also depend on firing arcs and balancing port and starboard weight during a rebuild.