Q&A ยท 2:19:53-2:24:10

Three Admiral-class carrier conversions reshape the treaty fleets

Converting three Admiral-class hulls into large carriers would force higher carrier tonnage limits and parallel American and Japanese concessions.

Question

If the Royal Navy converted three Admiral-class hulls into Eagle-style carriers, how would the treaty carrier limits change?

Short answer

The treaty would need higher total and per-ship limits, with matching American and Japanese concessions that produce larger carrier fleets across the major navies.

Notes

Three roughly 40,000-ton British conversions would occupy 120,000 tons, leaving little room within the historical carrier allowance. The proposed settlement raises the British and American totals to 300,000 tons each, with a 30,000-ton limit for ordinary new carriers and exceptions for the larger conversions. The United States would seek three Lexington conversions, while Japan's corresponding 180,000-ton allowance could make two 40,000-ton conversions more attractive than three. That choice would leave Japan 100,000 tons for further carriers, while Britain and America would each retain 180,000 tons after three large conversions. Britain could build six 30,000-ton ships or seek more hulls around 26,000 tons, with some fudging of the arithmetic. France and Italy would also receive greater allowances under the assumed ratios. Courageous and Glorious probably lose their conversion roles in this scenario, although Furious has already become a carrier.