Lieutenant John Collett's 1934 Proceedings proposal assigned one flying-deck cruiser as the fourth ship in every heavy-cruiser division. Unlike floatplane cruisers, the division could launch and recover scouts continuously without slowing in rough weather or exposing aircraft on catapults during a surprise attack. Its position in the van would place reconnaissance aircraft closer to the enemy while allowing fleet carriers to remain protected nearer the center or rear. Removing scouting squadrons from those carriers would free space for fighters, torpedo aircraft, and bombers intended to win air control and strike the opposing fleet. Collett rejected a simpler small carrier because he believed it would be an obvious target, maneuver poorly with the cruisers, and lack the gunfire needed to join the division's battle line. His answer addressed the conflict between forward reconnaissance and conserving a fleet carrier's offensive strength, but it created new design and tactical problems.
Chapter · 22:45-26:16
John Collett's case for a flying-deck cruiser
A 1934 proposal placed a flying-deck cruiser in each heavy-cruiser division to sustain scouting while preserving fleet carriers for air combat and strike missions.