Lion class Battleship, HMS Lion and HMS Temeraire - That's great and all, but can we make it even bigger?

Would you like to see the Lion class Battleship in the Game?
  • Yes, I would like to see both Lion & Temeraire in the game
  • Yes but I would only like to see HMS Lion in the game
  • Yes but I would only like to see HMS Temeraire in the game
  • I don’t think we need any Lion class battleship in the game
0 voters
What configuration would you like to see Lion added in? (Part 1)
  • 1938/1939
  • 16H-40
  • 16I-42
  • 1944 1
  • 1944 2
  • 1944 3
  • 1944 4
  • 1945 A
  • 1945 A1
  • 1945 A2
  • 1945 A3
  • 1945 A4
  • 1945 B
  • Not a version mentioned in part 1
  • Unsure
  • I said no
0 voters
What configuration would you like to see Lion added in? (Part 2)
  • 1945 B1
  • 1945 B2
  • 1945 B3
  • 1945 B4
  • 1945 B5
  • 1945 B6
  • 1945 B7
  • 1945 C
  • 1945 D
  • 1945 X
  • 1945 X1
  • 1945 X2
  • 1945 X3b
  • Not a version mentioned in Part 2
  • Unsure
  • I said no
0 voters
What configuration should Temeraire be added in?
  • 1938/1939
  • 16H-40
  • 16I-42
  • Unsure
  • I don’t think we need any Lion class battleship in the game
0 voters

Lion class Battleship, HMS Lion and HMS Temeraire That’s great and all, but what if made it even bigger?

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Note - This suggestion is a bit long with the amount of configurations the class had designed, so much in-fact I had to split the poll for Lion into two.


Background

The Lion class of Battleships (not to be mistaken with the Lion class of Battlecruiser) was a design which was similar to the preceding King George V class battleships, the class was created when the escalation clause of the London Naval treaty, this treaty was a extension of the Washington naval treaty which sought to limit gun caliber expansion atop of the limits already included in the Washington Naval Treaty, in this the escalation clause was added if Japan and or Italy refused to sign the treaty to limit guns size would allow the signatories to escalate the maximum gun caliber of their battleships from 14 inch to 16 inch guns during the signing of the 2nd London Naval Treaty, in japans case they withdrew from the talks and Italy had refused to sign the treaty, as a result the escalation clause was enacted which would result in gun caliber of future battleships now allowed to be up to 16 inch in size with the US switching out the planned 14 inch guns of the North Carolina class to 16 inch guns plus the design of the South Dakota class and later down the line, the Iowa and Montana class. The other major naval powers that signed the treaty which were capable of enacting upon the clause were Britain and France, in which the latter would not get the chance to take advantage in the escalation to 16 inch guns but would get as far as designing a new class but never start work on. Britain was already in the process of building the King George V class and had decided on using the 14 inch gun however the other treaty restrictions were still in place and so British designers begun to make designs based off the previous class while they were designing the new ship which initially had reduced armor and secondary battery plus the aircraft facilities until the end of march in 1938 when the signatories had invoked another clause of the treaty, the tonnage escalation clause due to Japan refusing to share information on the battleship they were working on that would be none other than Yamato. The new limits on the ships displacement was set to 45,000 tons over the previous 35,000 ton limit, this would result in all the removed element in the initial plans before the escalation clause for displacement to return in the design.
The ships would go through a great number of different and interesting designs which would see designs which would reach up to a displacement over 60,000 tons standards and 70,000 tons at full load, speed of around 27 knots on the lower end and on other designs had a planned speed of 33 knots, the guns would thankfully stay the same in most designs with many using the 3 triple 16 inch gun turrets in the same layout as the King George V class design however their were designs which would still differ from this with some designs having 2 triple 16 inch gun turrets with 1 forward and 1 at the rear, another did the same triple 16 inch turrets however it would remove the turret at the rear of the ship, another would use 3 twin 16 inch turrets in the same layout, and one last difference between the know designs (or at least from what I could fine) would see the 15 inch guns return in quad turrets like the King George V class had but with 14 inch guns instead of the purposed 15 inch guns on this design in the same planned layout as the King George V was originally planned with 2 quad turrets forward however unlike the King George V would not include the rear turret, another design was to turn them into them into hybrid carriers that would be for everyone’s sake be shot down as the Director of Naval Gunnery’s assessment responded with “The functions and requirements of carriers and of surface gun platforms are entirely incompatible … the conceptions of these designs … is evidently the result of an unresolved contest between a conscious acceptance of aircraft and a subconscious desire for a 1914 Fleet … these abortions are the results of a psychological maladjustment.” The class was to have 6 ship of the class were ordered in pairs from as apart of naval programs for 1938, 1939, and 1940 consisting of Lion and Temeraire as the first 2 ship, Conqueror and Thunderer as the 2nd pair, the last 2 ships would never be given names.

Note(s):

  • I will include as many of the different designs as possible in the suggestions however I would include in the option to the polls for if they should be Tech tree, Premium, Squadron, Event however due to the Amount of designs their are I will not include these options due to the sheer amount of them and that the suggestion is already long enough as it is already.
  • Since Lion and Temeraire were laid down but no ship of the class were finished I will include all variations that include 16" inch guns but as for the 15" inch guns variations, the 15" inch guns for the ship were never made for the ships and would have probably been for ships of the 2nd or 3rd pair if they were not canceled and were still not launched in 1945 while under construction, I will still Include the 15" inch gun version just as mention but I will not include it as apart of poll as the Lion class was designed to create a 16" inch armed battleship and not a 15" inch armed ship, their is also a 2 14" inch gun variant but they came before the final design, also their is one 16 inch design that I will not include as it was only a sketch and the design itself is best described as insane for it’s time.
  • Since designs were developed up until 1945 which was finally when Lion was scrapped as Temeraire, Conqueror, Thunderer were canceled in 1942 with the 3rd pair never being ordered I will include the designs which were made in 1945 for the ship.
  • !->Carrier hybrid is not an option here<-!
  • Only the designs that were made after the final design before work revision post finalization as well as the final design will be included, any earlier designs will not be included as they were not approved as the final design.
  • As for why I will include almost all the 16" inch gun, 4 of the guns planned for the ships were made and from the initial final design uses the same 16" inch guns as the very last design included.
  • Values for statistics have been converted in terms of dimension and are rounded values, not the exact value when converted.
  • Temeraire will be included as option from designs which go up to the planned final design to design 16I-42 (design I, 1942) since she was canceled in 1942, each design will have their designation on their poll with their given numbers such as 1944A or 1944A 1.

Development History/History

Lion and Temeraire would be ordered at the end of February in 1939, Temeraire would be laid down first at the beginning of June the same year followed by Lion at the beginning of July. As for Conqueror and Thunderer, they would get as far as having their contracts awarded in mid August and mid November respectively but neither would be laid down. With the start of WW2 the ships construction would slow down until October when the British admiralty ordered that their construction cease for 1 year however the construction of the 16 inch guns and their turrets would continue. Work on the 2 ships would restart in November, 1939 however only when there were workers available for the ships however work would cease again in May, 1940. In November the decision to suspend construction was reaffirmed and steel from Lion was ordered transferred to speed up the building of HMS Vanguard. In 1942 the decision was made to cancel Temeraire, Conqueror, and Thunderers orders with the last 2 ships not being ordered as a result, as for Lion her keel would not be scrapped until the end of the war in 1945. During the time they were under construction or had work on them halt the designers would come up with more improved designs in the meantime.

(I decided not to include different design description as the source that has specifications for all the different designs as well as their description, I will specify which link to use if anyone wishes to read it in the sources section)


Specifications
(Some specification are for later configurations are unknown, in their place any assumed values will be based on the sources estimates, format of specification will be in the same used with the source for specifications so the armor will be listed differently, each configuration has a illustration however due to file size it is difficult to include them all so I would recommend checking out the source itself as some designs have different weapon layouts while others have greater armor, more speed, etc. I was able to still get a good number of them however assume that if the next variation does not have a image here the layout is probably the same as the image in the previous image for another configuration that is listed above it)

(20 of the designs mentioned are apart of the poll, 1 more will be mentioned but are not apart of the poll, specific variants not included that will be listed here are mentioned below)

( Design 1945 X3a is a post final design with 15 inch guns and is the one not included with the poll)

Initial final design:

Design 1938/39

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Dimensions:

Length: 785 ft (239.3m) (Over all)

Beam : 105 ft (32m)

Draft 33 ft (10.16m)
Displacement:

40.750tons (Standard)

46.000tons (full load)
Engines: 130,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines
Speed: 55-56km/h (30knots)
Range: 26,000km at 18-19km/h (14,000nm at 10knots)
Armor: 124mm, Deck over machinery and 149mm over magazines, 374mm over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk II Cannons
  • 8x2 5.25"/50 (133mm/50) QF Mk I DP-AA Guns
  • 6x8 40mm/39 Pom-Pom AA Guns
  • possible 2-4-8x4 12.7mm MG Mk III AA Guns

2-4 Floatplanes

Blueprints (link) :

Lion 1938 (Courtesy TZoli) – Google Drive

Improved Designs:

Design 16H-40

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Dimensions:

Length: 793 ft (241.71m) (Over all)

Beam: 108 ft (32.92m)

Draft: 33 ft (10.16m)
Displacement:

42,200tons (Standard)

48,500tons (full load)
Engines: 130,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 26,000km at 18-19km/h (14,000nm at 10knots)
Armor: 124mm, Deck over machinery and 149mm over magazines, 349mm Belt over machinery and 374mm over magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk III Cannons
  • 8x2 5.25"/50 (133mm/50) QF Mk I DP-AA Guns
  • 6x8 40mm/39 Pom-Pom AA Guns
  • possible 2-4-8x2 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns

2-4 Floatplanes

Design 16I-42

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Dimensions:

Length: 793 ft (241.71m) (Water line)

Beam: 108 ft (32.92m)

Draft: 33ft (10.16m)
Displacement:

42,550tons (Standard)

48,415tons (full load)
Engines: 130,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines
Speed: 52km/h (28knots)
Range: 30,600km at 18-19km/h (16,500nm at 10knots)
Armor: 124mm, Deck over machinery and 149mm over magazines, 349mm Belt over machinery and 374mm over magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk III Cannons
  • 8x2 5.25"/50 (133mm/50) QF Mk I DP-AA Guns
  • 8x8 & 1x4 (or 9x8) 40mm/39 Pom-Pom AA Guns
  • multiple 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns (does not list amount of 20mm guns, I would guess it would be 40 to 60 guns in dual or single mounts)

Design 1944 1

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Dimensions:

Length: 830 ft (253m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 36 ft (10.97m)
Displacement:

50,400tons (Standard)

60,700tons (full load)
Engines: 130,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines
Speed: 52km/h (28knots)
Range: 10,200km at 37km/h (5,500nm at 20knots)
Armor: 178mm, Deck over machinery and magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX AA Guns
  • 20x2 & 20x1 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1944 2

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Dimensions:

Length: 865 ft (263.65m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 36 ft (10.97m)
Displacement:

52,800tons (Standard)

64,500tons (full load)
Engines: 160,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines
Speed: 52km/h (28knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armour: 178mm, Deck over machinery and magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX AA Guns
  • 20x2 & 20x1 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1944 3

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Dimensions:

Length: 895 ft (272.8m) (Water line)

Beam: 124 ft (37.8m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.51m)
Displacement:

52,800tons (Standard)

64,500tons (full load)
Engines: 235.000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 58km/h (31,5knots)
Range: 11.100km at 37km/h (6.000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 178mm, Deck over machinery and magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX AA Guns
  • 20x2 & 20x1 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1944 4

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Dimensions:

Length: 930ft (283.46m) (Water line)

Beam: 128 ft (39m)

Draft: 37 ft (11.28m)
Displacement:

62,700tons (Standard)

76,200tons (full load)
Engines: 320,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 6 shafts
Speed: 62km/h (33,5knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 178mm, Deck over machinery and magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX AA Guns
  • 20x2 & 20x1 20mm Oerlikon AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1945 A

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Dimensions:

Length: 1000ft (304.8m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

59,400tons (Standard)

69,500tons (full load)
Engines: 160,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 330mm Belt over machinery and 381mm over magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1945 A1

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Dimensions:

Length: 910 ft (277.37m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

55,450tons (Standard)

65,000tons (full load)
Engines: 153,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons,
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1945 A2

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Dimensions:

Length: 900 ft (274.32m) (Water line)

Beam: 116 ft (35.36m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

54,160tons (Standard)

63,500tons (full load)
Engines: 151,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons,
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII AA Guns
  • 2x5 533mm Torpedo Tubes

Design 1945 A3

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Dimensions:

Length: 243.84m (Water line)

Beam: 800 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 33 ft (10.21m)
Displacement:

46,800tons (Standard)

54,700tons (full load)
Engines: 139.000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 330mm Belt over machinery and 381mm over magazines.
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 8x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 4x1 Mk VII AA Guns

Design 1945 A4

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Dimensions:

Length: 780 ft (237.74) (Water line)

Beam: 116 ft (35.36m)

Draft: 32 ft (9.9m)
Displacement:

43,600tons (Standard)

50,960tons (full load)
Engines: 134,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 8x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 40mm/56 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 4x1 Mk VII AA Guns

Design 1945 B

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Dimensions:

Length: 960 ft (292.61)(Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

59,100tons (Standard)

69,140tons (full load)
Engines: 156,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 356mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 18x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B1

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Dimensions:

Length: 960 ft (292.61m) (Water line)

Beam: 116 ft (35.36m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

58,380tons (Standard)

68,280tons (full load)
Engines: 154,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 356mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons,
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 18x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B2

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Dimensions:

Length: 920 ft (283.46m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

59,100tons (Standard)

69,140tons (full load)
Engines: 153,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, mean 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines (probably 229-279mm).
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons,
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6, OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 18x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B3

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Dimensions:

Length: 930 ft (283.46m) (Water line)

Beam: 116 ft (35.36m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

55,540tons (Standard)

65,280tons (full load)
Engines: 152,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, mean 256mm Belt over machinery and magazines (probably 229-279mm).
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 18x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B4

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Dimensions:

Length: 810 ft (246.89m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

47,970tons (Standard)

56,910tons (full load)
Engines: 153,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, mean 356mm Belt over machinery and magazines (probably 330-381mm).
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 12x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B5

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Dimensions:

Length: 810 ft (246.89m) (Water line)

Beam: 116ft (35.36m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

47,360tons (Standard)

56,230tons (full load)
Engines: 151,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 356mm Belt over machinery and magazines.
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons,
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 12x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B6

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Dimensions:

Length: 800 ft (243.84m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

46,120tons (Standard)

54,900tons (full load)
Engines: 149,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, mean 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines (probably 229-279mm).
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 B7

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Dimensions:

Length: 800ft (243.84m) (Water line)

Beam: 116 ft (35.36m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

45,450tons (Standard)

54,160tons (full load)
Engines: 147,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, mean 254mm Belt over machinery and magazines (probably 229-279mm).
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 11x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 C

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Dimensions:

Length: 950 ft (289.56m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.67m)
Displacement:

57,400tons (Standard)

67,000tons (full load)
Engines: 155,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 330mm Belt over machinery and 381mm over magazines (356mm mean thickness).
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 14x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 D

Spoiler

Image.png

Dimensions:

Length: 925 ft (281.94m) (Water line)

Beam: 120 ft (36.57m)

Draft: 35 ft (10.82m)
Displacement:

56,450tons (Standard)

66,000tons (full load)
Engines: 154,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 330mm Belt over machinery and 381mm over magazines (356mm mean thickness).
Armaments:

  • 3x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 14x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 X

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Image.png

Dimensions:

Length: 720 ft (219.45m) (Water line)

Beam: 102 ft (31.10m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.36m)
Displacement:

35,800tons (Standard)

43,000tons (full load)
Engines: 120,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 203mm Belt over machinery and 256mm over magazines (229mm mean thickness).
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 8x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 9x6 OQF Mk IX, 6x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 8x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 X1

Spoiler

Image.png

Dimensions:

Length: 740 ft (225.55m) (Water line)

Beam: 106 ft (32.31m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.36m)
Displacement:

39,950tons (Standard)

45,300tons (full load)
Engines: 125,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 203mm Belt over machinery and 256mm over magazines (229mm mean thickness).

Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 9x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 7x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 14x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 X2

Spoiler

Image.png

Dimensions: unknown, given estimate from source:

Length: 788 ft (240.25m) (Water line)

Beam: 102 ft (31.2m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.36m)
Displacement: unknown, given estimate from source: probably around 45,000tons (standard)
Engines: unknown, given estimate from source: around 150,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 56km/h (30knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 381mm Belt over machinery and 330mm over magazines (356mm mean thickness).
Armaments:

  • 3x2 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 9x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 7x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 10x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 X3a (This design is not included in poll, uses 15 inch guns instead of 16 inch guns)

Spoiler

Image.png

Dimensions:

Length: 840 ft (256.03m) (Water line)

Beam: 114 ft (34.75m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.36m)
Displacement:

47,250tons (Standard)

57,000tons (full load)
Engines: 142,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 318mm Belt over machinery and 292mm over magazines
Armaments:

  • 2x4 15"/45 (381mm/45) BL Mk III Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 16x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Design 1945 X3b

Spoiler

Image.png

Dimensions:

Length: 840 ft (256.03m) (Water line)

Beam: 114 ft (34.75m)

Draft: 34 ft (10.36m)
Displacement:

45,000tons (Standard)

54,000tons (full load)
Engines: 136,000shp Parsons Steam Turbines, 4 shafts
Speed: 54km/h (29knots)
Range: 11,100km at 37km/h (6,000nm at 20knots)
Armor: 102mm, Deck over machinery 152mm over magazines, 318mm Belt over machinery and 292mm over magazines
Armaments:

  • 2x3 16"/45 (406mm/45) BL Mk IV Cannons
  • 12x2 4.5"/45 (114mm/45) QF Mk V DP-AA Guns
  • 10x6 OQF Mk IX
  • 8x2 Mk X (STAAG)
  • 16x1 Mk VII 40mm/56 AA Guns

Gun performance (link):

United Kingdom / Britain 16"/45 (40.6 cm) Marks II, III and IV - NavWeaps


Sources:

Spoiler

Lion-class battleship | Military Wiki | Fandom

Lion-class battleship - Wikipedia

naval encyclopedia - warships and naval warfare from antiquity to this day

The slow death of the Lion class - Britain's never-built battleships - Navy General Board

Royal Navy Lion Class Battleship series 1938-1945 | Secret Projects Forum (all the information for each configuration is from here as well as the descriptions of the designs)

Image sources:

Spoiler

Royal Navy Lion Class Battleship series 1938-1945 | Secret Projects Forum

https://www.reddit.com/r/WarshipPorn/comments/k1gb9l/artists_impression_of_lion_class_battleship_hms/

6 Likes

I’d suggest for the Lion class we got one in a 1942 circa 45,000 tonne configuration with the was update AA armament, these could’ve been made with minimal redesign to the original concept finalised in 1938-39.

And then following on another in a 1944-45 circe 65,000 tonne configuration, both dockyard’s i believe could accommodate up to the 65,000 tonne design and also the ships were ordered to be redesigned by the war cabinet in 1944 and this is also when the orders for 6 turrets to be built (3 turrets for both laid ships Lion and Temeraire) were given. Based on that and Vanguard having only 15-inch guns, i’d say that’s evidence that they intended to modify at least one Lion to the updated designs of 1944-45.

Lion could be kept in her original-42 design and Temeraire in a 1944-45 redesign.

Would be interesting to see +1

2 Likes

+1
Great post. The blueprints are really appreciated.

I believe both should be added.
One has a thicker belt and floatplanes but less AA, and the other has a thinner belt but more AA.

I prefer the Temeraire in her 1938/1939 version.
I like the fact that this was the design that was under construction.
It will have the 373mm KCA belt.

I prefer the Lion in her 16I-42 (1942) design.
The design changes were approved and they were minor and thus most likely to have been achieved.

The design work after 1942 are not for me.

I think it would be best to have both implemented be of the 3x3 16in variety. Maybe a Nelson-style Lion would be cool but I think that the 3x3 16ins would be better to serve as the British equivalent of the South Dakotas and eventual Iowas. Besides that was the more conventional layout in any case.

I think one should be in a 3x3 configuration with the 1942 AA refits as those were planned.

Then we could get a late one with the BL 16" Mk.IV guns of which a gun was built, in the 4x3 configuration as a Montana analogue, after asking a naval historian that was, along with a 1945 version, the only version potentially slated by the Admiralty IIRC.

I guess? If anything, they could add Conqueror or Thunderer even though they weren’t laid down (to my knowledge) since the 16in guns for the Lions in general were constructed I think that might be just enough to qualify them for inclusion on a technicality

2 Likes