Treaty categories would have to accommodate ships of very different sizes and roles. Cruiser carriers below roughly 15,000 tons could be left unrestricted for patrol, raider hunting, and anti-submarine work. Separate tonnage pools might then cover 20,000-ton light-fleet carriers and large conversions up to 35,000 tons. This would create fleet, light-fleet, and escort or cruiser-carrier categories much earlier than in actual history. Every formula risks grandfathering a large British advantage or granting rivals enough construction space to trigger a new carrier race.
Notable Point · 1:15:31-1:19:20
Treaties may invent three carrier categories early
Negotiators might distinguish fleet, light-fleet, and cruiser carriers to preserve British wartime ships while setting usable limits for future construction.