A cruiser carrier under 10,000 tons could carry about 18 aircraft for reconnaissance and maritime trade protection. The proposed design uses a County-class cruiser hull, removes its guns and armour, and adds an island, flight deck, and hangar. Retaining the cruiser machinery would give it broadly similar performance and allow it to operate with cruiser squadrons. In this reading of the Washington Treaty, Britain could build substantial numbers of these small carriers within the Washington limits.
Chapter · 44:12-46:04
Cruiser carriers built from County-class hulls
A County-class hull could become a small carrier with about 18 aircraft, giving cruiser squadrons their own reconnaissance and trade-protection aviation.