Sir Eustace d'Eyncourt describes the difficulty of adapting hulls designed for other purposes while carrier operating requirements were still experimental. Clear flying decks were essential, with air currents arranged to interfere as little as possible with aircraft. Hot funnel gases created problems whether discharged amidships or led aft as in Furious. Stability added another constraint, alongside the Washington and London treaties. Despite these difficulties, he regards the resulting carriers as broadly successful. Another contributor calls carriers costly and vulnerable while praising aviators who repeatedly launched from and landed on moving ships.
Chapter · 2:20:43-2:24:55
What converted hulls taught early carrier designers
Converted carrier hulls required clear flying decks, manageable air currents and funnel gases, and adequate stability while naval aviation was still experimental.