This is how the model looks with the 1941 torpedo bulges. I've also rearranged the AA guns (don't mind if they clip into the casemate deck, that will be taken care of later, for now it's just to test the layout):
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@VonFricke specifically about your comment: I see your argument about the USN 'pulling a Renown' on the Lexingtons, but I have my doubts on that. The USN was strapped for cash (though not as bad as pre-WWI) until the late 1930s, so while there could be the time and scope to modernize the Lexingtons more than the basic upgrades historically done to the standards, it's still going to take the better part of three years for each ship, regardless of how much dock space they take up. And it's not going to be cheap either.
Also during 1941 ships are still being pulled in for partial modernization (if I recall correctly Colorado was in for such one on the East coast in December '41), so adding at least a couple additional capital ships in the form of two battle cruisers is only going to compound the problem. I'm saying adding a couple because redesigning Washington to supposedly fit these in is beyond the scope of this thread, I think there are a few different arguments that could be made to save a couple either by upping tonnage for all powers or ditching something else, but it's unlikely they could have saved more. Three is the most I can see them getting away with in my opinion, with another three of choice for the British and two for the Japanese, thus keeping the ratio.
But beyond that. I did take in some of your feedback regarding updating equipment, I have changed the directors to late war Mk 37s - those for the 40 mm will be installed later and each position will have its own. I just haven't placed them yet because it's just another thing I have to move in case I want to change the AA layout like I did last time.
What I see them be is additional assets for the carrier force early in the war, at a time when the NCs, SoDaks and Iowas still aren't ready yet. That is the most logical use for them assuming they would not be in Pearl.
And that I think would considerably impact their further modernizations going forward: they would have seen very heavy and continuous use from early '42 to at least late '43, high tempo and constant operations. While that raises two arguments, that if they were damaged they would have seen drydocking and further upgrade, or in any case being pulled back for refit and repair and thus seeing further upgrades after such heavy use, it does not guarantee to include extended stays in port to rebuild a good portion of the upper works if not strictly necessary to improve their combat performance. While Renown after '39 is certainly more capable than Renown pre modernization, she saw a fair amount of action against enemy capital ships - the Lexingtons would simply not have had as many changes nor I believe them to be used as such. You rightly remarked their most important trait is their speed, but even after modernization that speed does not grant them the ability to stand in a battle line for any prolonged amount of time against any enemy capital ship that isn't a Kongo - and even then I would not like to take my chances (yes, they're not the only 14'' gunned Japanese ships, but both Fusos and Ises are definitely better armoured than a Lexington and would simply outlast them, even against the bigger guns).
So I believe a convincing argument could be made for these ships to be used as carrier escorts and naval bombardment platforms throughout the Pacific war, and the equipment afforded by the older cage mast fire control (supplemented by radar and more modern secondary equipment) is still good enough for that job. That is also part of the reason why not all surviving standards were modernized to the same extent as the Tenneessees (which didn't receive as much damage as some other ships like West Virginia).
But if we suppose they would have gone down that route, it would have been at some point between 1935 and 1941, and they already had a template to use by that time while the NC design was refined: the rebuilt New Mexicos. So out of curiosity I made this 'Renown take on a Lexington' superimposing NM's superstructure over the original foremast:
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I've also added the cap to the second funnel though personally I see it adding nothing to either the efficiency of the design nor the aesthetics of it, but that's neither here nor there, just my opinion.
It's possible the aviation equipment would have been put ashore, but I left it there on account all the standards - even the heavily modernized ones - still had some. I guess for better spotting during shore bombardment, mostly, which is admittedly a very efficient use of a spotter plane.
Lastly, no these ships would definitely not have had the same problem as Hood. The Lexingtons had an entire additional deck all the way along the hull that raised both upper and quarterdeck further away from the waterline. Hood had a very particular issue with wetness that was the result of three factors: the shape of her quarterdeck (arching high at the stern but very low amidships), its position low on the waterline, and the shape of the hull underwater that positioned the peak of the wave she created at high speed around the area where the quarterdeck met the hull break and thus basically giving it a free wash. Plus she mostly operated in the North Atlantic which is a very unforgiving enviroment compared to the Pacific, where the Lexingtons were mostly designed to operate in.
Hopefully that does answer all your points, and I do appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter, even if we see things differently
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