How would the Queen Elizabeth and Revenge classes differ if the Royal Navy knew naval treaties would prevent replacement for twenty years?
Short answerThey would probably be faster and more heavily armed, using triple turrets and perhaps 16.5-inch guns to maximize long-term value.
NotesForeknowledge that the Queen Elizabeth and Revenge classes would serve for twenty years without replacement changes the design priorities. The proposed Royal Navy response abandons conservative choices in favour of triple turrets and 28-knot speed. Twelve 16.5-inch guns are offered as a possible main battery. Greater initial capability would help those ships remain useful through the anticipated building pause. These are hypothetical successors to the historical designs, not the specifications of the ships that entered service.