What a larger light carrier gains

How much more useful is a larger light carrier, and why might it need hundreds of additional crew for only a modest increase in aircraft?

The larger ship and air group are more useful, but size alone does not justify every extra sailor. The added engineering, aviation, logistics, and support systems have to explain the crew increase.

A larger light carrier can support more aircraft, stores, and aviation work, which makes the ship and its air group more useful. Hull volume alone does not demand a proportional increase in ship's company. Any additional sailors should correspond to identifiable engineering, aviation, logistics, or support systems. The comparison therefore separates the operational gain from a second design question about crew requirements.