Why the hybrid inherited both ships' weaknesses

Armour made the large hangar and flight deck substantially heavier high in the ship. Leaving the aviation box unarmoured created a large vulnerable target above a cruiser expected to enter surface combat. The limited air group could specialize in scouting but could not sustain the fighter cover, reconnaissance, and strike mix of a fleet carrier. Separating the scouts from the striking carrier also sent reports through several command levels, where delay or small transmission errors could distort the eventual attack order. A cruiser division fighting in line could not repeatedly turn into the wind without disrupting the formation, so the ship's gun and aviation missions competed at the moment of contact.