Armor thickness alone misses the importance of hull structure, subdivision, and the ability to accept additional weight. Renown underwent two extensive reconstructions, and constructors appear to have regarded her structure as a safer platform on which to learn before a planned Hood modernization. Her encounter with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau also illustrates how refitted fire-control systems and aggressive handling could compensate for nominal disadvantages.
Notable Point · 27:11-33:11
Why Renown could absorb major reconstruction
Renown and Repulse had battleship-derived internal strength that made them better reconstruction candidates than Hood despite thinner belts.