HMS Victory was launched in 1765 but did not commission until 1778. Much of that delay is attributed to the difficulty of obtaining enough suitable guns, especially 42-pounders. At times she sailed with more 32-pounders because the heavier weapons were simply unavailable, even if the substitute made logistical sense. Cannon could burst, be lost, require repair, and compete with the needs of every other ship being mobilized. Foundry capacity constrained the operational fleet just as timber and dockyard space constrained construction.
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HMS Victory and the gun-supply bottleneck
Victory's delayed commission and shifting gun outfit show that building a first rate did not guarantee enough heavy cannon to arm her.