A counterfactual fleet with three Lexington battlecruisers and three Lexington carriers would have had fast capital ships available for the early raids. At least two carrier groups could then have included a battlecruiser for protection. Successful operation of these pairs might have encouraged later American battleships to be designed as counterparts to the Yorktown carriers. In that scenario, a future South Dakota design might have needed roughly 32 or 33 knots rather than its historical speed. The escort could be slightly slower than the carrier and still cover its withdrawal.
Notable Point · 1:49:22-1:51:27
Lexington battlecruisers as carrier escorts
Completing some Lexingtons as battlecruisers could have encouraged American task forces built around a fast gunship and carrier.