HMS Vanguard

Vanguard is very much misunderstood, and quite often its mentioned that she was 'only' fitted with 15inch guns, that she was antiquated toothless.
There is so much untruth banded about that it would be impossible to tackle the whole subject of Vanguard, this post is - not - about how or why the DNC got to the point of using these existing guns etc.... But rather looking at were the guns 'old antiquated not potent enough' etc.

Firstly the four twin Turrets and mountings (mounting consisted of the gun house, working chamber and main trunk) were from Glorious and Courageous, yes, but they weren't simply 'dropped' into the Vanguard hull.

Why because they were originally for G and C which had the mags above the shell rooms but history and show that the reverse was better and the DNC and gone down that route with Nelson Rodney the KGVs and now Vanguard.

Secondly, much work was done on the turrets themselves to refurbish and modernise them, to enhance their potential and bring them up to date. Turret protection was enhanced, the whole structure was given much thicker plates.
Gun ports were cut away to allow for increased elevation from 20° to 30° and the guns were given pneumatic run-out.
Internally they were completely modernised weak points eliminated and revamping of the revolving structure to bring them into line with modern requirements. Turret ventilation with larger fans fitted and heaters to condition the air in cold climates. Special fittings to the gun ports and barbettes against the weather.

Third the original 15ft rangefinders were replaced with new 30ft ones.

Fourth the turrets were fitted with (RPC) Remote Power Control training gear which involved the redesign of many valves, pointer drives and wheel gearing. ( I believe this was a first, the Iowa's received this later.)

Fifth the 15inch guns themselves were spares that had been used in the 'R's and QE class but were fully refurbished.

Sixth to increase the power and range of the shell further, supercharges were available. (though no guns were ever fired using supercharges the option was there none the less for Vanguard)

Seventh, couple this with state of the art
f/c (type 274 amongst many others) on a marvellous ship who's seakeeping even in severe weather was excellent, second to none.....and you've got a deadly stable gunnery platform as NATO exercises ably demonstrated.

The turrets and guns even in their original form could be considered the most durable reliable accurate naval rifle in history.
And now they had been - improved - and could rightly be considered as new and improved in range, rate of fire and hitting power. For sure not 'quite' the same punch as a 16inch 'super heavy' but they were perfectly adequate for ANY task asked of it in the age after ww2.. Or indeed before if it was available.

I hope this has helped some members here to understand that the guns fitted to Vanguard couldn't really be described as 'old or antiquated' but were fully re-engineered reliable punchy weapons not to be underestimated or belittled.
Photos have captions.

Source The Last Battleship HMS Vanguard 46-60 R A BURT
The Battleship Builders I Johnston I Buxton
Navweaps