Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:18:46-1:19:16

Why didn't Britain convert more light-cruiser hulls into aircraft carriers?

Britain had carrier programs under way, still needed cruisers, and did not face the same sudden fleet crisis as the United States after Pearl Harbor.

Carrier ConversionsEscort CarriersLight CruisersLight Fleet CarriersNaval ProcurementPearl Harbor
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Question

Why didn't the Royal Navy convert more light-cruiser hulls into aircraft carriers?

Short answer

Britain was already building several kinds of carrier, still needed cruisers, and had not suffered a Pearl Harbor-style fleet loss that demanded an emergency conversion program.

Notes

The Royal Navy considered using light-cruiser hulls for aircraft carriers. It was already building carriers, with light-fleet carriers and escort carriers also entering its programs. Diverting cruiser hulls would remove ships still needed for cruiser duties. Britain also faced a different situation from the United States, which had lost a large part of its fleet in one attack.