I agree they were generally excellent ships but their design meant they could not easily be modernised to increase their speed. Nothing is impossible but the funds were not available. I have also thought, until recently, they would have given a good account of themselves against the older if modernised Japanese ships as they have thicker armour and much more powerful guns.
However in some recent reading I was reminded of a couple of unpalatable facts:
1) Between the wars the Japanese had significantly increased their fleet speed so the R class could not catch them unless geographic issues intervened.
2) The Japanese battleships had their main armament increased in elevation such the 14" guns (which fired a 1,400/1,500 pound shell) far outranged the 15" gun (which fires a 1,920 pound shell).
3) Tactically therefore the R class could never close the range where their 15" guns would be effective and would remain under fire without effective reply and it was this element that led Churchill to comment with the R class in the far east it was one of the most dangerous times of the war.
However they did provide sterling service as escorts as the Germans could not ignore their 15" guns which could do significant damage. Whilst outranged by the Scharnhorst class, tactically the Germans would have to close to destroy a convoy which would bring them in range of the R class and therein lies their true value.
They still look great and make great models!! I built one back in about 1972 at 1/128 scale and she still exists.
Cheers
Geoff
Geoff