Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 55:35-56:40

Treaty carrier conversions depended on how much hull already existed

Amagi and Admiral-class hulls might support conversions, while the less advanced G3s offered too little completed structure to salvage.

Admiral Class BattlecruisersAircraft CarriersAmagi Class BattlecruisersCarrier ConversionsG3 Class BattlecruisersShipbuildingWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

What happens if the Washington settlement requires every scrapped battlecruiser to be completed as an aircraft carrier?

Short answer

Only sufficiently advanced hulls are realistic candidates; Amagi and the Admirals may qualify, but the G3s do not.

Notes

A treaty rule directing every scrapped battlecruiser toward carrier conversion would not make each paper project equally usable. The first question is how far construction had progressed and how quickly a conversion could be completed. The Amagi class is plausible apart from the hull lost to earthquake damage, and the unfinished Admiral-class hulls had survived long enough to remain candidates. The G3s had not advanced far enough for conversion, showing that legal permission cannot substitute for an existing hull and viable yard schedule.