An 18-inch Agincourt would alter the expectations surrounding Hood as well as inviting an American reply. The Royal Navy would have to decide whether a new battlecruiser armed with 15-inch guns remained credible after introducing a larger weapon. One unusually powerful ship can therefore change the requirements imposed on the designs that follow. Hood's armament question also revives the battlecruiser tradeoff among speed, protection, and gun power.
Notable Point · 50:19-52:39
Would Hood keep 15-inch guns beside Agincourt?
An 18-inch Agincourt raises a second design question: whether Hood could still enter service with 15-inch guns.