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The two Retribution class used the same hull as the Repulse class, but rearranged the internal layout to fit 9x16", in three triple turrets, in place of the four twin 16" of the Repulse. This sped up the production of the two ships which completed within 12 months of the last of the Repulse class. The number of funnels reduced from three to two, and the secondary armament was strengthened.
Being completed late in 1917, the two ships were retained in home waters for local defence. With the Americans in the war, the USN had provided enough ships to make up the 7th Battle Squadron. Panagaea already had a dozen of its major warships in European waters.
1939 and it is the turn of the Retribution to have its rebuilding, the Implacable was to follow. Only months in and World War Two broke out. The plans for the rebuilding had to be altered drastically to get the ship back to sea. The superstructure work would only tae a few months and it had already been started. No new powerplant, no new deck armour, no aircraft handling facilities, no 4.5" dual purpose weaponry. While this had not been ideal the ship was available for sea service in January 1940. The Implacable started the war in almost the same state as it had finished the first.
Lend-Lease starts in early 1941 and the Panagaean Navy send off the Implacable to Puget Sound for rebuilding. As with most rebuilds all superstructure is cut away and replaced with new bits. New machinery, new armoured deck, new dual purpose weapons, 40mm and 20mm replaced the 2 pounders. Aircraft handling facilities fitted. When finished it looks remarkably like other US battleships that have had the same rebuilding process.
The fates of these ships is still written in the stars.
