The large light cruisers offered speed and available hulls, but they had not been framed as purpose-built aircraft carriers. Removing armour and other cruiser structure could reduce the rigidity needed to support raised flight decks and additional superstructure. Designers therefore had to add strength back into the converted hulls, consuming weight and space. Their compromises interrupted the more purpose-built line suggested by Eagle and show why a large hull alone does not guarantee an efficient carrier conversion.
Notable Point · 1:09:21-1:10:46
Why large light cruiser hulls constrained carrier conversions
The conversions of Furious, Courageous, and Glorious reveal the structural work required when a fast cruiser hull acquires high flight decks and carrier superstructure.