Incomparable's six slow-firing 20-inch guns are judged barely sufficient for visual ranging. A more workable battery is proposed with about twelve guns, six forward and six aft. While closing, the forward turrets could alternate three-gun groups, firing two guns from one turret and one from the other, then reversing the allocation. Once the range was established, all six forward guns could fire before the ship turned enough to bring the twelve-gun broadside to bear. The aft battery would provide the same option while withdrawing. The Renown class illustrates the limitations of a smaller battery: its 15-inch guns could sustain roughly twice the rate of fire, allowing ranging with four forward guns, but hits from its small stern battery depended largely on luck.
Notable Point · 48:51-51:00
Why six 20-inch guns are poor for pre-radar ranging
A proposed twelve-gun arrangement would allow alternating ranging salvos before turning broadside, exposing the limits of Incomparable's six slow-firing 20-inch guns.