Royal Navy designers allowed space for later equipment when planning ships in the 1930s. Armor subsequently fitted to the Counties occupied useful positions without reducing performance, suggesting that the added weight had been anticipated. Similar additions are recalled for Town and Crown Colony cruisers. The interpretation is that designers expected war in the 1940s and planned beyond the peacetime treaty conditions. More room for light anti-aircraft weapons was one practical reason to allow for growth.
Notable Point · 3:26:35-3:27:52
Why Royal Navy designers left room for wartime growth
Space for later armor and light anti-aircraft weapons suggests that 1930s designers anticipated wartime changes.