.PNG)
Admiral Class Battleships (1940+)
The 'R' class were allowed to be replaced by Treaty at 20 years of age. By
1935 the 'R' class had outlived its usefulness. But as spare parts the whole
class had a part to play in the future RN. The future that the RN had pursued
since 1917 was the fast battleship. The 'R' class was the last of the old
generation. Knowing that the end of the Treaty's and the replacement time were
at hand the RN started the design process for its 35,000 ton battleships in
1933. The RN wanted the first of its replacement ships laid down as close to the
day as possible. The designs centred on two streams. A set of three new ships
with 9x15" as the main armament and a set of up to five ships utilising as many
parts off the 'R' class, including main armament, as much of the armour as
possible and recycling as much of the steel from the ships. It was felt that
this would not only reduce the cost but would also reduce the building time. The
two streams would share the same hull and dimensions but the internal layout
would be different because of the four twins versus the three triples. The first
of the new 'Admiral' class ships was laid down at the start of 1936 and
completion in July of 1939. The ships were to be named HMS Hood, HMS Rodney, HMS
Nelson, HMS Anson, and HMS Howe.
The armament at time of completion was:
8 x 15" (4x2)
20 x 4.5" (10x2)
48 x 2pd (5x8 2x4)
4 aircraft
Armour: 13" belt, 6.5" deck