What if every R-class battleship had instead been built as a Renown-style battlecruiser?
Short answerThe Royal Navy would gain a large fast capital-ship force, probably complete the Admiral class as fast battleships, and face a very different treaty debate.
NotesBuilding the R class as Renown-style battlecruisers would leave the Royal Navy with a much larger fast capital-ship force. The imagined fleet has six Queen Elizabeths, six R-class battlecruisers, and six completed Admiral-class fast battleships. Their suggested speed bands are about 24, 32, and 28 knots respectively. Admirals of roughly 40,000 tons with eight 15-inch guns would complicate Washington Treaty negotiations. A six-gun ceiling for battlecruisers is one possible treaty distinction, although its consequences remain unresolved. These speculative fleet and treaty arrangements would need further discussion and wargaming.