What if Royal Navy capital ships were exchanged with the battleships at Pearl Harbor just before the attack?
Short answerBritain would lose important fast and modern capital ships and receive a generally slower battle line, worsening its existing mobility problem.
NotesAssuming the exchange also changes ownership, Britain would receive a slower battle line and face greater difficulty matching German and Italian movements. Losing Renown, Repulse, King George V, and Prince of Wales would remove especially useful ships, while Nelson and Rodney would also be difficult to replace. The modernized Queen Elizabeth-class ships would be another substantial loss. American standard battleships capable of 21 knots would offer a small speed improvement over some poorly maintained Revenge-class ships. Colorado-class firepower would remain useful when positioned effectively, but those limited advantages would not compensate for the wider loss of capability.