The conversion turned weakly protected battlecruiser hulls into capable aviation ships, but their cruiser-caliber guns remained a poor fit. A scouting-force origin helps explain the battery, though it does not make a cruiser duel a sensible mission for a scarce fleet carrier. Firing across the flight deck threatened parked aircraft, and the mountings crowded lifts and aviation space. Magazines, ammunition, crews, and structural support also consumed treaty tonnage that could have served the air group. More five-inch defensive guns would have supported reconnaissance, fighter defense, and the developing American mass-strike concept without encouraging the carriers to fight at gun range.
Chapter · 39:20-44:37
Lexington and Saratoga spent carrier capacity on cruiser guns
The Lexington-class conversions were powerful carriers, but their eight-inch batteries consumed weight, deck area, magazines, and crew for a surface action carriers should avoid.