The United States could begin with four Lexington conversions, doubling the operational experience generated by that powerful early carrier type. Britain might duplicate Ark Royal and use a larger allowance to combine a substantial air group, armored protection, and more aviation facilities in one design rather than choosing between Ark Royal and Illustrious. The 27,000-ton cap would not yet permit Midway- or Malta-class scale, but it could move both navies toward larger, better-balanced fleet carriers sooner. Extra displacement could support accelerators, a larger hangar, and even service space that reduced the need for a separate maintenance carrier like Unicorn. Japan gains similar flexibility, while France has a stronger reason to supplement Béarn. Italy could complete several Francesco Caracciolo battleships and convert the remaining hull, turning carrier development into a question of naval-air command as well as tonnage.
Chapter · 1:13:00-1:17:35
Extra treaty tonnage changes carrier development
Larger interwar carrier allowances give Britain and America more hulls, more aviation experience, and room for better-balanced fleet carriers before the Second World War.