Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:08:49-1:10:27

Vanguard traded novelty for rapid construction

Vanguard combined an available hull design with refurbished guns and turrets rather than creating another new weapons system.

Battleship TurretsHMS VanguardLion Class BattleshipsNaval ProcurementRoyal Navy
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Question

Did the Royal Navy consider giving Vanguard four triple 15-inch turrets?

Short answer

No, because Vanguard was conceived as a rapid construction using existing twin turrets.

Notes

Vanguard reused twin 15-inch turrets removed from Courageous and Glorious and held in storage. They could be reconditioned, fitted with usable barrels, and installed on a new hull. Four triple turrets would require fresh design and manufacture, removing the time advantage that justified the ship. Vanguard's value lay in combining available major components with a modern hull as quickly as possible.