Q&A · 2:32:37-2:33:04

Why was Graf Zeppelin's hangar underpopulated?

Luftwaffe requirements allocated shore-base-like space to each aircraft, sharply reducing the number that the carrier could accommodate.

Question

Did the Luftwaffe restrict aircraft supply to Graf Zeppelin?

Short answer

At points it did, but the larger design penalty came from demanding land-base-like hangar space for each aircraft.

Notes

The Luftwaffe did restrict aircraft supply at some points. A greater design problem was its insistence on hangar space per aircraft comparable to a land air base. That requirement left Graf Zeppelin with a sparse air group for a carrier of its size.