Keeping Ryujo's single hangar and 24-aircraft group could have eased later lift difficulties and made its small-carrier concept more acceptable to other treaty navies. Britain and the United States might then have supported a distinct category below 10,000 tons. For Britain, a 24-aircraft carrier could perform convoy escort and some fleet-carrier work. That arrangement could free more of the main carrier allowance for larger strike carriers along Ark Royal lines. This is a proposed alternative to the historical treaty and force structure, with a small air group serving a deliberately limited set of duties.
Notable Point · 58:07-59:40
Ryujo suggests an alternative light-carrier treaty category
A 24-aircraft Ryujo provides a counterfactual case for light carriers that could cover convoy and some fleet duties while reserving tonnage for strike carriers.