Floatplanes were considered for maritime air support during the interwar period, but their recovery imposed a serious operational constraint. A ship often had to stop to crane the aircraft back aboard, exposing the force and interrupting its movement. The alternative was for the aircraft to continue to a shore base, which limited where and how it could be used. Escort carriers became the more practical wartime answer for sustained aviation with convoys and task groups.
Notable Point · 51:50-52:15
Why floatplanes could not replace escort carriers
Ship-launched floatplanes offered useful reach, but recovery could force a vessel to stop unless the aircraft continued to a shore base.