[WIP] HMS Hood & Refit

[iowa101]

Proposed Modifications
What follows is a list of the proposed work:

New internal machinery. Nearly everything would have been upgraded, especially engines/propulsion.
Rearranged/remodelled torpedo bulges and side armour. Bulge would have extended to the top of the 7" armour belt rather than to the top of the 12" belt)
Improved deck armour/protection over vital areas
Removal of spotting top and the 5" side armour
New superstructure and masts fore and aft. Most notably, the forward superstructure would have been a "block" type similar to that of Renown, the Queen Elizabeths or the King George Vs (KGV).
New funnels. These would have been something similar to those on Renown as KGV funnels would have been too small.
Addition of a catapult, hangars and Walrus seaplanes. (See "Some Considerations" below)
Improved antiaircraft (AAA) protection. This would include: The addition of 3 pom poms (for a total of 6), removal of all UPs and 4" HA/LA guns and lastly, the addition of either 16 x 4.5" (like Renown) or 5.25" guns (like KGV) (See "Some Considerations" below)
Upgraded fire control. She would have received updated radar, fire control tables, comms, directors, etc.
Extended forecastle deck. Hood's stern was notoriously wet due to her overweight condition. An extension was considered for the simple fact that it might help keep the quarterdeck a bit drier. The extension would retain the rough "V" shape but would instead, extend to "X" turret. (See "Some Considerations" below).

Some Considerations

We feel that due to certain circumstances, of the above list, a few items would likely have been changed or possibly not implemented:
Catapult/aircraft gear–. By 1944/1945, the Royal Navy had reexamined the need for aircraft aboard battleships and battle cruisers. Due to key considerations, not the least of which was the improvement in aerial surveillance radar, it was decided to remove such equipment. Therefore, Hood, under construction during this period. would likely have had changes made. It is possible that if aircraft were not used, the space they would have occupied would have gone to boats or possibly increased 40mm antiaircraft batteries.
4.5" or 5.25" Secondary Battery–. Though the 5.25" would have been preferred, there were availability issues with the guns. Instead, the widely available 4.5" guns would have been a more likely choice to install aboard Hood.. It was also a more standard sized round (Queen Elizabeth, Renown, carriers, etc.).
Extended Forecastle deck–. This would only have been done if other modifications did not result in a significant reduction in displacement/increase in freeboard. If Hood sat higher in the water, there would have been no need for the extension.
Location of shell rooms and magazines–. This, Hood's "Achilles heel," would not have been fixed. The powder magazines would still have been situated dangerously over the shell rooms.

this is the info of the would have been refit, this information comes from the HMS HOOD ASSOCIATION, a good source of information.
along with a crew list, dimensions and also specifications on weapons and protection......
and some art that can be used for loading screens if you wished.

i also have a link to a 3d rendering of the hood at the day of the sinking so you can add some minor details you would miss from models.

http://www.hmshood.com/photos/hoodphotos3.htm

please use this information in your mod as if will indefinitely help to increase it's potential and also it's desirability among those captains of the sea
who would love the chance to command such a sea worthy vessel.