An aircraft lift is a scaled-up lifting mechanism whose real naval-design challenge is integration into the hull. A centerline elevator keeps weight near the ship's center and matched common interwar practice. A deck-edge lift avoids cutting a large opening through the middle of an armored flight deck and may be less exposed to direct bomb or shell hits. Deck-edge lifts were considered for the Illustrious class before American carriers demonstrated their practical advantages.
Notable Point · 1:00:53-1:02:12
Centerline and deck-edge lift tradeoffs
Aircraft elevators were understood technology, but their placement created important stability, flight-deck, and armor-protection choices.