Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:50:46-1:51:26

Using existing heavy guns to accelerate new British battleships

Britain could build fast capital ships around proven 15-inch or Nelson 16-inch weapons and spend less time creating a new gun system.

BattleshipsHMS VanguardNaval GunsRoyal NavyShipbuilding
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Question

What weapons would suit quickly built Vanguard-style battleships?

Short answer

Proven British 15-inch guns, or possibly Nelson-type 16-inch guns, in a fast capital-ship layout.

Notes

A Vanguard-style program works best when a navy already owns guns worth reusing. Britain had unusually capable 15-inch weapons, established facilities, and experience supporting them. Those guns, or possibly Nelson-type 16-inch weapons, could go into a fast hull with a Renown- or Repulse-like arrangement. Reusing a mature gun ecosystem would let shipbuilding concentrate on producing the new hull quickly.