1930s reconstructions HMS Repulse (1916)

repulse in july 1938, stern

after repulse completed 1926 refit remained in commission, aside brief refit in july–september 1927, battlecruiser squadron of atlantic fleet until paid off in june 1932 prior beginning reconstruction in april 1933. of existing layers of high-tensile steel constituted ship s horizontal armour replaced non-cemented armour plates 2.5–3.5 inches (64–89 mm) in thickness , torpedo control tower removed aft superstructure. fixed catapult replaced midships 4-inch triple mount , hangar built on each side of rear funnel house 2 of ship s fairey iii aircraft. 1 additional aircraft carried on deck , on catapult itself.

electric cranes mounted above each hangar handle aircraft. 4 4-inch aa guns moved, 1 pair abreast rear funnel @ level of hangar roof , other pair abreast fore funnel on forecastle deck. 4 prototype qf 4-inch mark xv dual-purpose guns added in twin-gun mark xviii mounts abreast mainmast. 2 octuple mark vi 2-pounder mounts fitted on extensions of conning-tower platform abreast fore funnel. above these pair of quadruple mark ii* mountings 0.5-inch vickers mark iii machine gun added. these mounts depress −10° , elevate maximum of 70°. machine guns fired 1.326-ounce (37.6 g) bullet @ muzzle velocity of 2,520 ft/s (770 m/s). gave gun maximum range of 5,000 yd (4,600 m), although effective range 800 yd (730 m) repulse received 2 high-angle control system anti-aircraft directors, 1 mark ii on fore-top , mark i* mounted on pedestal above rear superstructure. 2 submerged torpedo tubes removed , vacant spaces sub-divided , turned store-rooms.

repulse in haifa harbor during arab revolt, july 1938.

repulse assigned mediterranean fleet when recommissioned in april 1936. transported 500 refugees valencia , palma, majorca marseilles, france in late 1936 after start of spanish civil war. ship present @ coronation fleet review @ spithead on 20 may 1937 george vi. repulse sent haifa in july 1938 maintain order during arab revolt. selected convey king , queen during may 1939 canadian tour , refitted between october 1938 , march 1939 role. twin 4-inch aa guns replaced 2 more mark v guns , 2 additional quadruple .50-calibre mounts added. king , queen travelled aboard liner rms empress of australia while repulse escorting them on first half of journey.