Hitting a stationary ship established little about delivering enough heavy bombs against a maneuvering, defended warship. Bomb weight also had to be considered alongside the aircraft's operating range. Royal Navy planning for Illustrious-class and other armored carriers treated 500-pound dive bombs as the expected threat at useful naval ranges. Larger bombs were emerging, but aircraft could not automatically carry them over the distances required. The Navy expected maneuver and fighter protection to make level bombing less effective.
Notable Point · 2:25:13-2:26:38
Heavy bombs against maneuvering and defended ships
The practical threat depended on delivery method, aircraft range, and a ship's defenses, as Royal Navy planning for armored carriers illustrates.