Hood and the possibility of 18-inch guns

What if Hood had been completed with 18-inch guns?

It could have altered the treaty gun ceiling and pushed Britain toward a more formidable 18-inch capital-ship response.

Hood's large hull could probably have accepted six, and perhaps as many as eight, 18-inch guns if enough weapons existed and the programme decision came in time. The ship would be formidable in its own right, but the larger consequence would be diplomatic. Britain had already shaped the treaty cruiser definition around the Hawkins class, so an 18-inch-gun Hood could similarly support an 18-inch capital-ship ceiling at Washington. That outcome would also alter whether Britain completed another Hood-like ship or pursued the historical Nelson and Rodney solution.