Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 13:51-15:53

Why Lexington's 8-inch guns were a poor carrier compromise

A treaty and design argument for separating cruiser armament from the Lexington-class carriers rather than burdening their flight decks with 8-inch turrets.

5-inch Guns8-inch GunsAircraft CarriersCarrier DesignFlight Deck SafetyLexington Class BattlecruisersNaval ProcurementShip DesignWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

Could Lexington's planned 8-inch turrets have been reused on new heavy cruisers?

Short answer

The guns might have been reusable, but the turrets were uncertain. More importantly, the treaty allowed separate cruisers, making heavy turret armament on the carriers an avoidable design and weight compromise.

Notes

The guns may have been reusable, although whether the existing turrets could be reused is uncertain. Under the Washington Treaty the United States could build additional sub-10,000-ton cruisers, so the heavy guns could have armed separate escorts instead of adding weight and displacement problems to the carriers. The carrier turrets are described as a congressional cost-saving compromise that substituted deck-mounted guns for another escort hull. Smaller dual-purpose anti-aircraft weapons would have suited carrier employment better and freed weight and space for other needs. British First World War experience also argued against arrangements that required guns to fire across the flight deck.