Would more extractors and air circulation have stopped the buildup of fuel vapour aboard Lexington?
Short answerThey might have limited the accumulation feeding the later explosions, without necessarily preventing the first explosion. Their effectiveness depended on the fans continuing to run.
NotesMore extraction and air circulation could have helped clear aviation-fuel vapour. The first explosion might still have occurred, while reduced accumulation could have limited the later explosions. That possibility depended on the fans remaining in operation after the attack.