Japan's attempt to build a sub-10,000-ton fleet carrier struggled to produce an adequate air group, but a British cruiser-carrier model would demonstrate a less ambitious and more attainable mission. Later British ships in this scenario might carry roughly thirty-six to forty aircraft rather than Hermes's twenty. Repeated construction could also accelerate features such as deck-edge lifts, particularly if Britain wanted the option to armor the flight deck later. The United States would value small carriers for fleet reconnaissance and for stretching the tonnage left after Lexington and Saratoga. Japan would value greater numbers and another way to offset the infrastructure and quantitative advantages of Britain and America.
Notable Point · 48:41-51:44
Why American and Japanese navies might adopt cruiser carriers
A successful British pattern gives the United States and Japan different but compelling reasons to revisit their own small-carrier experiments.