Earlier King George V-class availability would let Hood receive a major modernization before going east. Hood would be the Royal Navy's strongest visual and diplomatic statement in Force Z, which is why a modernized ship appears in this scenario. With enough other fast capital ships in service, Britain would no longer have to keep her operating while she needed work. More ships would also allow Ark Royal and other hard-worked vessels to enter maintenance. Easier maintenance scheduling would increase availability and make the fleet more effective as a whole.
Notable Point · 1:19:30-1:21:17
Maintenance slack could modernize Hood before a Far Eastern deployment
Enough fast battleships would let Hood modernize before serving as Force Z's diplomatic centerpiece and give other hard-worked ships time for maintenance.