Shokaku was lost in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, while Zuikaku survived until the Battle of Leyte Gulf. By then Zuikaku carried 66 aircraft rather than the class's original 72 operational aircraft plus 12 reserves. The reduced group reflected shortages of pilots and aircrew as well as aircraft. Because the design depended on a large air group for both striking power and defense, the empty capacity marked a collapse in the wider system that made the carrier effective.
Notable Point · 59:27-1:02:39
Zuikaku's shrinking late-war air group
The loss of Shokaku and the reduced air group aboard Zuikaku show a carrier design losing its value as Japan ran short of trained crews and aircraft.