HMS Hood in the Mediterranean... Would she survive?

Sounds like the FB page has some pretty strong opinions!

I think it is unfair to say the Italians were worse at gunnery because they didn't fire the guns very often. The USN fast BB didn't get much live fire training with the big guns either. Lots of drill, but crews begging for live fire exercise that was few and far between. At least that was the case with WA.

The Italian navy suffered from poor quality control on their projectiles, combined with high MV and barrel interference they suffered large dispersion issues.

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I think my analysis of crew gunnery training was poor. Here is a passage from Mark Stille's work on Italian Battleships of the Second World War that should provide clarity for everyone here:

"The main armament of Italian battleships was impressive on paper, especially the outstanding range and penetrating power of the new 15-inch gun. However, it is important to note that Italian battleship guns did not sink a single enemy ship during the war. The high muzzle velocity of the 15-inch gun caused excessive barrel wear, and therefore contributed to the persistent Italian problem of salvo dispersion. Maximum barrel life was some 120 rounds, much less than other nations' 15-inch guns. Dispersion was also increased by excessive manufacturing tolerances, both of the guns themselves and the ammunition they used. The salvo dispersion problem was even more prevalent for the re-bored 12.6-inch guns mounted on the four older battleships. These had a barrel life of only 150 rounds."

True, all though the Italian battleships guns not sinking any ships I think can attributed more to a lack of aggression on the Italian part.

Not sure how lack of aggression explains the times the Littorios went into battle and fired tens and tens of rounds without scoring a single hit. While you could cite the exceptionally long range at which they were firing as an excuse, Italian Naval Doctrine (for Battleships) "hinged on accuracy at long range" (Stille). While I think you are correct in stating that the Littorios might have been able to sink a British BB had they closed the range, the problems of shell dispersion and barrel life would still have applied. 

Long story short, you have to put out a LOT of shells to get even a few hits. And even when you hit it doesn't mean it'll be devastating. I don't think the Italians should be given too much crud for not being able to hit anything. No one could do it that well.

Wait a minute, did he just say the Hood still used the old style turret structure with the powder rooms above the shell room?  I know it was scheduled for a new refit, but I thought that was for upgraded radar and fire-control.  No wonder it blew up!  I thought the British refitted all their capital ships with the new arrangement. Shell room on top, powder room on bottom.  I guess Jutland didn't press home the point good enough...