Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:27:17-1:28:06

Centaur and Essex as amphibious assault conversions

Essex offered more size, while Royal Marines control of the Centaur conversions helped match the ships to their users' needs.

Amphibious Assault ShipsCentaur Class Aircraft CarriersEssex Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal MarinesUS Marine Corps
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Question

Were converted Centaur-class carriers better helicopter assault ships than converted Essex-class carriers or the Iwo Jima class?

Short answer

No general superiority is claimed over Essex: it was larger, while Centaur benefited from Royal Marines leadership of the conversion. The Iwo Jima comparison remains uncertain.

Notes

An Essex-class conversion has the advantage of a larger hull. The Centaur conversions benefited from Royal Marines leadership, which shaped the work around the force's requirements. The corresponding American conversions were led more by the naval service, creating arrangements that the Marine Corps could find problematic. The comparison with the purpose-built Iwo Jima class remains uncertain.