Comments by "" (@RedXlV) on "The Loss of HMS Hood - But why did it blow up??" video.

@USS_Grey_Ghost And the 4-inch magazine that initially detonated would've no longer existed. Had Hood been refitted with 4.5-inch BD mounts to replace the 4-inch AA and 5.5-inch secondary batteries (the most likely refit for her to receive, given the shortage of 5.25-inch guns), her layout would've likely resulted in the entire battery being located further forward, abreast the funnels and foremast.
1
@calebhorn9671 Had that lucky hit not occurred, Bismarck and Prinz Eugen would've been at a distinct disadvantage. The firepower advantage of Hood and PoW combined would simply be too much. It wouldn't be quite as bad as King George V and Rodney vs Bismarck, but it'd be close. The difference in penetration and bursting charge between Rodney's 16-inch guns and Hood's 15-inch is surprising small, due to the poorly designed lightweight (relative to caliber) shells of the Nelson-class. While it wouldn't have been as one-sided, since Bismarck was capable of maneuvering and Prince of Wales wasn't fully fitted out yet like King George V, two capital ships are still better than one. And Prinz Eugen wasn't going to do more than cause damage to non-vital areas. It's likely that Lütjens would've tried to flee at the first opportunity rather than engaging in a prolonged slugging match with a superior force. Depending on which direction he turned, this might've given Norfolk and Suffolk time to get involved in the battle. And the speed difference between Bismarck and Prince of Wales (the slowest ship present at the battle) wasn't enough to make escape very likely. Hood and Prince of Wales be able to get off quite a few salvos and the odds would be good of them damaging Bismarck enough to slow her down. Much like what would later happen when Duke of York fought Scharnhorst. Afterward, since Hood would need repairs, that time out of service would likely be used to finally give her that much-needed refit.
1