[Gnarly]

It would have been interesting, but I think you are right about the IOWAs being more than a match for the Bismarck. Better guns, better fire control and at least equivalent armor. Some "experts" believe an IOWA could have bested the Mushashi or Yamato because of nearly equal guns and far superior fire control.

[Nov3]

The battle of Suriago Straits proved what a force multiplier radar controlled naval fire was with old battleships. (Tactical control of the situation helped a great deal) The Iowas were truly the apex of battleship evolution. The Montanas with radar controlled gunfore would have been unbelievable.

The Alaska class cruiser was also an interesting ship. 33.5 knots/9 - 12" inch guns. We also had a cruiser with automatic loading main battery (8" I believe) with a fire rate of something like 15 rounds per minute per tube. Times 8 tubes! Combine that with radar control . . . . . .

[John H K]

Some "experts" believe an IOWA could have bested the Mushashi or Yamato because of nearly equal guns and far superior fire control.

They're right. Generally the more of a clue people have the more obvious that an Iowa was superior to a Yamato. EFFECTIVELY similar range, Iowa had higher rate of fire, Yamato had some really serious design flaws. Neophytes tend to be focused more on raw stats like caliber and tonnage.

Only way a Yamato wins is with a wave-motion gun installed.