Interwar assessments did not treat carrier speed as mere prestige. A carrier had to turn into the wind for launches and recoveries, temporarily leaving the fleet's course. It then needed enough speed to regain station, while frequent speed changes demanded robust and flexible machinery. The discussion connects treaty-era displacement choices to the practical maneuvering required for sustained flight operations.
Notable Point · 1:20:46-1:22:23
Why carriers needed surplus speed to rejoin the fleet
A carrier had to turn into the wind for flying operations and then use robust, flexible machinery to regain station with the fleet.