Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 47:17-48:01

Would a 15-inch/50 F3 derivative have been a super-Hood?

A modified F3 arrangement with 15-inch/50 guns could have been formidable, but its layout and lack of 16-inch weapons make the super-Hood label misleading.

15-inch GunsBattleshipsF3 Battleship DesignHMS HoodNaval GunneryNaval TreatiesNelson Class BattleshipsRoyal NavyShip Design
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Question

Would a Royal Navy design armed with 15-inch/50 guns have amounted to a super-Hood?

Short answer

Not literally, but a modified F3 design with those guns could still have been a very formidable treaty-era capital ship.

Notes

The viewer's comparison draws on US congressional debate about a British design resembling an enlarged Hood. The label is misleading, although a modified F3 arrangement with 15-inch/50 guns could have produced a formidable ship. Its design lineage and weapon fit would differ from both Hood and the eventual Nelson class. The absence of 16-inch guns also weakens the super-Hood comparison. Political shorthand can obscure the characteristics of an actual design family.