Article 8 covered naval auxiliaries that were not specifically built as fighting ships. Limits on guns and the number of aircraft operated at sea still left considerable freedom in hull size, transport capacity, and harbor-based aviation support. Aircraft carried as deck cargo would not necessarily count as aircraft operated at sea, creating room for a transport-and-support design. HMS Pegasus received a specific experimental status, while HMS Unicorn later navigated similar distinctions as a forward aviation support ship rather than an ordinary fleet carrier.
Notable Point · 18:15-22:10
Naval treaty rules left room for large aviation tenders
Treaty exemptions allowed non-combatant fleet auxiliaries with limited weapons and aircraft-operating features to escape carrier tonnage limits.