Q&A · 1:40:40-1:41:16

Completing treaty-canceled capital ships would delay US and Japanese naval aviation

Keeping Tosa, Amagi, South Dakota, and Lexington as gun ships removes major conversion opportunities from the US and Japanese carrier programs.

Aircraft Carriers Amagi Class Battlecruisers Lexington Class Battlecruisers Naval Aviation Washington Naval Treaty

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Question

Would completing the canceled 1920s capital ships set back naval aviation?

Short answer

Yes for the United States and Japan, while British carrier development would probably continue on a different path.

Notes

American and Japanese naval aviation would likely fall behind without those large conversion hulls. British development would be less affected. That divergence could also prevent the later story that the Royal Navy remained dominated by battleship admirals.