Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 48:38-48:54

Likely anti-aircraft upgrades in a major refit

A major flight-deck rebuild would probably also replace the sisters' light anti-aircraft battery with twin 4.5-inch or additional 40 mm weapons.

Aircraft CarriersAnti-Aircraft WarfareCarrier ModernisationNaval Weapons
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Question

Would a full-length flight-deck refit also improve the anti-aircraft guns?

Short answer

Probably; twin 4.5-inch weapons or a stronger 40 mm battery are plausible upgrades.

Notes

Armament work would be a natural companion to structural modernization. The original single-gun battery would not have remained the only defensive armament. Twin 4.5-inch mounts or a larger 40 mm fit are offered as plausible alternatives. The exact scheme is uncertain, though leaving the anti-aircraft armament untouched is unlikely.