Q&A · 48:54-50:28

Six Vanguards and three derivative carriers in the Cold War

A fleet of Vanguard-derived carriers and battleships implies a strategic reason and budget strong enough to retain large ships after 1945.

Question

How would six Vanguard-class battleships and three Vanguard-derived carriers affect the Cold War?

Short answer

They would strengthen early British carrier and capital-ship capacity, but their survival depends on a continuing Soviet battleship threat and the money to replace them later.

Notes

Three large carriers could reduce the need for some historical carrier reconstructions and sustain a British Far East role for longer. The battleships make most sense if Soviet capital-ship construction continued, giving Britain and the United States a reason to keep comparable forces active.