Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:41:38-3:43:39

The capital ships and aviation experiments that disappear

Without Fisher's wartime return, the Renown and Admiral classes probably vanish, fast battleships arrive earlier, and purpose-built carriers replace turret-launched aircraft experiments.

Admiral Class BattlecruisersAircraft CarriersBattlecruisersJohn FisherNaval AviationRenown Class Battlecruisers
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Question

Which naval innovations and ship types would be skipped if war began in 1920 instead of 1914?

Short answer

Renown- and Admiral-style wartime battlecruisers likely disappear, fast battleships dominate, and purpose-built carriers make turret-launched aircraft less relevant.

Notes

The emergency conditions that produced lightly protected 15-inch battlecruisers no longer exist, so the Royal Navy's next capital ships follow the fast-battleship path. Aircraft still go to sea, but a carrier program likely matures before the temporary expedient of flying aircraft from battleship gun turrets becomes operational practice.