Benbow’s protection was concentrated where designers expected hits and judged protection most important. Her belt reached 18 inches at its thickest but tapered to eight inches elsewhere, while the bulkheads varied between sixteen and seven inches. The barbettes carried 11.5 inches on the more exposed faces and ten inches where hits were considered less likely. These figures describe a layered armour scheme rather than a ship protected uniformly by its maximum quoted thickness.
Chapter · 11:03-11:45
Inside Benbow’s layered armour scheme
Follow the changing thicknesses from Benbow’s belt and bulkheads to her barbettes and other protected positions.