Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:17:22-1:20:25

What would a first Soviet carrier copy?

The likely first Soviet carrier borrows from British or American designs because Italy and Germany lack a useful contemporary model.

Aircraft CarriersArk RoyalSoviet NavyWarship DesignYorktown Class Aircraft Carriers
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Question

What would an early Soviet aircraft-carrier program look like?

Short answer

It would probably purchase or copy British or American design work, most plausibly the lineage leading to Ark Royal or Yorktown.

Notes

Yorktown and Ark Royal offer the most plausible templates for a first Soviet carrier. British design experience may be easier to buy during the early 1930s, and Ark Royal is intended for harsher waters than the American ships. Ranger is available earlier but offers an unattractive model for a new fleet carrier. The French Joffre design arrives too late to shape the first Soviet attempt.