A hybrid has to satisfy both carrier and cruiser requirements. Six- or eight-inch guns would pull the ship toward an enemy surface force even though its reduced battery could not match a conventional cruiser. Turrets and magazines also consume space and weight that could support aircraft, anti-aircraft weapons, or a larger hangar. A full carrier conversion produces more useful aviation power, while a few heavy guns do not make a flight-deck ship an effective surface combatant.
Notable Point · 5:14-9:15
Why gun-and-flight-deck hybrids sacrifice both roles
A hybrid cruiser-carrier gives up flight-deck capacity for guns that are still too weak to justify closing with enemy cruisers.