USS Ranger could not grow with naval aviation

Ranger sought Lexington-like air-group capacity at far lower displacement. The resulting flight-deck structure could not accept important later aircraft, and the ship initially lacked torpedo stowage. Admiral King's preference for requesting a British carrier rather than sending Ranger to the Pacific measures its perceived limits in high-threat operations. Ranger remained useful in the relatively safer Atlantic, but the U.S. Navy was reluctant even to expose it to the Mediterranean. Borrowing Victorious also removed a carrier that might otherwise have strengthened Somerville's Eastern Fleet, so Ranger's limitations imposed costs on an ally.