The Washington framework nominally allowed 27,000-ton carriers and larger 33,000-ton conversions. Courageous and Glorious displaced only about 24,210 long tons, even though Britain could have used more of the conversion allowance. That choice fits the Royal Navy's preference for enough viable carriers to cover widely separated commitments. Lexington and Saratoga show the American alternative, concentrating far more tonnage and aviation capacity in each hull.
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British carrier numbers versus American carrier size
Washington Treaty allowances encouraged the Royal Navy to spread aviation across more hulls while the United States concentrated capability in much larger conversions.