Nelson and Rodney's 16-inch guns worked, but the assessment is that British designers could have produced better weapons. Misleading results from tests of captured German equipment had influenced the choices behind them. Returning to 15-inch weapons offered a way to improve the next battleships without repeating that design. The saved weight might support about 30 knots without a major reduction in armor. A new 15-inch/50 or 15-inch/45 weapon could also strengthen the older battle fleet.
Notable Point · 1:50:50-1:53:06
A new 15-inch gun offers an alternative to Nelson's armament
Misleading test results help explain the attraction of a new 15-inch gun for both fast battleships and upgrades to older ships.