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Would you drive a tank built in 1933 into battle today?
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The question really is would you drive an
updated version of that 1933 (or 1943) tank into battle today. Which we do, in essence. The M1 Abrams is fairly close to being a modernized King Tiger and so far advanced that its features weren't even wet dreams for the Tiger's designers.
The same could be said for the battlewagons. How would you design a modern battleship? It would include capabilities never dreamed of in the 1940's.
The downside, of course, is that certain realities need to be recognized. When deployed against countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, etc. they can be effective. But when deployed against countries with modern weapons, especially either a navy or air force, the BB's become big tagets just like the carriers.
Admiral Rickover said there were two types of warships in the oceans. Submarines and targets.
He also estimated both the U.S. and U.S.S.R. surface fleets had a life expectancy counted in days if a major war broke out.
Personally, I like the battleships, but always had a large affection for heavy cruisers too.
