How might the Bismarck action have gone with Renown and a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship instead of Hood and Prince of Wales?
Short answerBismarck would likely face a much harder fight because the rebuilt British ships offered tougher protection and more powerful 15-inch guns.
NotesIn this counterfactual, the alternative British pair appears tougher than Hood and Prince of Wales. Their 15-inch guns and improved protection could have put greater pressure on Bismarck. The proposed tactical arrangement also leaves Prinz Eugen facing Renown while the British concentrate on the battleship. The exact result remains uncertain because this is a reasoned alternative to the historical engagement.