Critical spaces were protected inside the hull instead of relying on a continuous external belt. The outer hull could act as a cap, with armoured boxes around machinery and other systems whose loss might disable the ship. Four triple 6-inch turrets supplied the main battery, backed by 4-inch guns and light anti-aircraft weapons. Early plans called for two aircraft in hangars, one on the catapult, and two more stored in boxes. These aircraft gave an independently operating cruiser a wide search area. On trade-protection duty, they could locate a surface raider early enough to concentrate cruisers against it or route a convoy away.
Chapter · 6:17-9:54
Armour, twelve guns, and aircraft for independent operations
Internal armour, twelve 6-inch guns, a strong secondary battery, and several aircraft prepared the Towns for independent work on trade routes.