Converting R-class battleships into Renowns was the wrong treaty bargain

If capital-ship building continued after Washington, could the R class be converted into Renown-like ships?

No; the conversions would be too expensive and disruptive, while a construction allowance would make purpose-built replacements more sensible.

The panel rejects deep conversion of completed battleships as structurally difficult and economically wasteful. Britain already possessed ten useful capital ships across the Queen Elizabeth and R classes, so withdrawing several R-class hulls would sharply reduce immediate line strength. Their speed disadvantage did not create enough value to justify rebuilding them into an entirely different type. A treaty that allowed periodic new construction would produce a healthier fleet than one encouraging expensive transformations of existing ships.