Lion was about 12.2 metres longer and only 0.3 metres broader than King George V, while Vanguard added a further 7.3 metres of length and roughly 1.2 metres of beam over King George V. Vanguard and Lion were both designed for about 30 knots, so speed alone does not explain their different sizes. Vanguard carried thinner belt protection than Lion over important areas. Lion combined the heavier protective scheme with nine 16-inch guns. The figures show that a larger hull could serve a different balance of inherited armament, protection, and internal arrangement.
Notable Point · 24:28-27:17
Hull proportions and armour across King George V, Lion, and Vanguard
Similar 30-knot requirements concealed important differences in hull proportions and protection among the three British designs.