Concentrating Dunkerque's main armament forward leaves the stern available for useful aviation facilities. The awkward part is the 5.1-inch secondary battery: three quadruple and two twin mounts produce sixteen guns in an uneven arrangement. Five triple turrets would provide a cleaner alternative with fifteen guns. The broadside would still carry nine barrels, only one fewer than the historical layout. The comparison connects the ship's forward main battery to the choices available for aircraft handling and secondary-fire arcs aft.
Notable Point · 39:50-41:06
Dunkerque's aft aviation space and secondary-battery tradeoffs
Dunkerque makes sensible use of its free stern for aircraft, while its mixed quadruple and twin secondary turrets invite a more even five-triple arrangement.