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In 1941, ONI thought (what became) Yamato was probably equivalent to Iowa, around 45000 tons & 9x16". IJN, however, felt a need for total qualitative superiority over USN.

So, a challenge: what would it take to persuade IJNHQ to build an Iowa-equivalent that still fulfilled their perceived needs? Something in the 50000 ton range, rather than the 70000-ton behemoth of OTL, with armor so thick she couldn't keep up with a TF because she couldn't produce enough hp...

Could IJN be persuaded to adopt improved 16" instead of 18"? (4x3 instead of 3x3?) Less armor? I'm presuming Japanese industry could not build turbines of more than 270000shp total.

Thoughts, anyone?
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