Lexington and Saratoga could make about 34.5 knots, so speed and scouting were better defenses against cruisers than a heavy battery. An eight-inch engagement would place a large, conspicuous flight deck inside the danger zone for no useful aviation purpose. The turrets also demanded magazines, handling systems, crew, and deck area that could not serve the air group. Removing that system could have reduced treaty displacement or bought more useful dual-purpose guns, protection, and aviation capacity.
Chapter · 1:42:20-1:47:16
Lexington and Saratoga carried the wrong defensive weight
Eight-inch gun turrets consumed displacement, crew, and flight-deck space for a surface engagement that the fast Lexington-class carriers should have avoided.