Good information, thanks.
True, but historically, when the Germans wanted to upgun from the 12" to the 15", that entire design cycle was just three years, as was the RN 15" gun development. Also, let's remember that the RN then went from 15" to 18" in just 2 years, and neither design was it an inferior gun.
I did posit two possible designs timeframes, one starting in 1933 and going the standard 3 years, to 1936 to have the guns available, or a 1935 start time, with the guns available in 1938. In either case, the ships should be ready for their guns as soon as they are ready, right? But to get this al set and ready, let's just go with Hitler orders the development of 16" guns on day one, in 1933.
True enough, but with the heavier hitting 16" guns, German BB might have been able to do that anyway.
Knowing they cannot match numbers, the Germans want a ship that is newer than the NelRods, faster than the NelRods, but with the same main armament as the NelRods. This way, even if they encounter a NelRod, they can match it in kind, and actually outgun any other RN BB. So, the strategic goals are simply qualified as being required to mount guns as large as any in the RN, for any missions an outnumbered German BB might be given.
Ok, this is fair enough.
Now I ask a better question.
Considering all the above input, and keeping the same design philosophy (with regards to speed and armor), what would all you folks think a German BB with 9 16" guns would look like tonnage wise?