Although the class of battleships was initially designed with three quadruple turrets, it proved impossible to include this amount of firepower and the desired level of protection without exceeding the 35,000 ton displacement treaty limit, hence the "B" turret was changed to a smaller twin mount so the weight savings could be freed up for increased armour protection.

[10] The turret and ammunition-handling facilities incorporated many anti-flash measures and interlocks, improving safety but adding to complexity.

[15] During the battle against Bismarck, a close-range hit from a 14-inch shell fired by King George V, according to the King George V gunnery report, or possibly a 16-inch shell fired by Rodney, penetrated the 340 mm (13 in)-thick armour of the barbette of Bismarck's 'B' turret, causing an internal explosion which blew the rear face of the turret away.

Underwater survey also shows that the 350 mm (14 in) vertical armour of Bismarck's conning tower was penetrated by 14-inch shells.

[16] In the Battle of North Cape, Duke of York fired 52 broadsides; of these 31 straddled the Scharnhorst, a fast and actively manoeuvring target, and a further 16 fell within 200 yards – an excellent performance, even when radar-control is taken into account.

[19] In World War II two guns, nicknamed Winnie and Pooh, were mounted as coastal artillery near Dover to engage German batteries across the Channel in occupied France.