The aviation group was supposed to take reconnaissance work away from fleet carriers, allowing them to concentrate on strike aircraft. Its planned mix included Yokosuka D4Y dive bombers, known to the Allies as Judy, and Aichi E16A reconnaissance floatplanes, known as Paul. Removing one or two more turrets could have supported a larger air group and a longer flight deck. Catapults would handle takeoff, while an angled deck or landing platform could permit recovery. The result would still have been a light fleet carrier, but its aviation layout would have been more coherent. The actual conversion left Ise and Hyuga ineffective as battleships and unable to operate as conventional carriers.
Notable Point · 10:55-14:25
The reconnaissance-carrier concept and a more complete conversion
The intended reconnaissance role, mixed Judy and Paul air group, and an unrealized longer flight deck expose the limits of the hybrid concept.