How much larger than 16.5 inches could HMS Hood's guns plausibly become?
Short answerSixteen and a half inches remains the practical choice because 18-inch and larger weapons lose too much rate of fire and handling efficiency.
NotesAbout 16.5 inches is judged the largest calibre that could retain a useful rate of fire in this counterfactual. An 18-inch weapon would load more slowly and make corrections between salvos harder. The suggested extreme ceiling is around 21 or 22 inches because the shells become so difficult to move. Hood is therefore expected to retain a 16.5-inch battery, although still larger experimental designs are contemplated.