American treaty choices remain constrained by Congress and the political demand for economy, so permission to build does not guarantee that every capital ship appears. Continuing selected capital-ship contracts could keep yards active and reduce pressure to complete so many four-stack destroyers, shifting procurement effects into other categories. With most Lexington hulls retained as battlecruisers, the United States has fewer obvious carrier conversions and may initially postpone new carrier construction. America, Washington, or both could instead be converted, though each choice changes the battle line. A carrier based on one of those hulls could operate with the five Lexingtons as a reconnaissance and presence force. That experience might then encourage purpose-built carriers to support battlecruiser-carrier task groups before the Second World War.
Notable Point · 1:09:05-1:13:01
Congress, carrier conversions, and a US scouting force
Congressional restraint could delay new carriers, but converting America or Washington might pair aviation with the Lexington battlecruisers and redirect destroyer spending.