Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:45:50-3:47:42

Choosing a 1935 battleship hull for several theatres

The Lion design best balances Pacific range, Mediterranean survivability, and Atlantic service among the proposed 16-inch battleship baselines.

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Question

Which hull should underpin a 1935 battleship intended for the Pacific, Mediterranean, and Atlantic?

Short answer

The Lion design offers the best balance, particularly because its protection suits Mediterranean conditions without sacrificing wider service.

Notes

Lion is preferred for its balance between Pacific and Mediterranean service, with the Atlantic as a secondary theatre. Its denser protection is considered useful against the aircraft damage anticipated in the Mediterranean. F3 remains a possible alternative, but F3 and G3 belong to an older design generation than the other candidates. Substituting N3 for G3 does not change the preference because the alternatives are faster.