Turning the large light cruisers into carriers leaves four planned 15-inch turrets available for other uses. Adding those to the two turrets otherwise assigned to monitors gives six that could equip more monitors or be divided between monitors and a Channel fort. One suggested allocation puts three turrets in monitors and three in a fort with six 15-inch guns. The possible fort draws on a recalled discussion of using the original two turrets in that role. A stronger Channel barrier could matter in both world wars and might let the Admiralty accept greater operational risk with the Harwich Force. These are alternative uses of the freed weapons within the carrier scenario.
Notable Point · 1:00:20-1:02:12
Carrier construction redirects surplus heavy guns
Building carriers instead of large gun cruisers leaves 15-inch turrets for monitors or a fortified Channel barrier and changes British force structure beyond the carrier program.