The closing argument defines reserve value as depth of force rather than individual fighting strength. The practical test is whether an older vessel can cover a mission long enough for a newer ship to refit, rearm, or repair. In the Norway counterfactual, modernized Tiger and Lion might accompany Glorious, complicating German identification and discouraging Scharnhorst and Gneisenau from pressing an attack. Even without that battle, extra coverage could let Hood or another first-line ship complete a needed refit before returning to service.
Notable Point · 2:37:49-2:40:08
Judge reserve ships by the depth they add
The key test is whether an older ship can cover a mission long enough for stronger units to refit, rearm, repair, or concentrate elsewhere.