Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:36:59-2:37:29

Could a US carrier reserve change the Wasp design?

A different American reserve structure might permit a full Yorktown-type Wasp while moving older carriers into more suitable reserve or support roles.

Aircraft CarriersLexington Class Aircraft CarriersNaval ReservesSeaplane TendersUS NavyUSS Langley CV 1USS Wasp (CV-7)Yorktown Class Aircraft Carriers
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Question

Could an American carrier reserve have allowed Wasp to be built as a full Yorktown-type carrier?

Short answer

Potentially. Reserve allowances could alter active construction while older carriers moved into reserve or support roles.

Notes

The question transfers the reserve-carrier counterfactual from Britain to the United States. A different reserve structure could plausibly let Wasp emerge as a full Yorktown-type carrier. Langley, which was not very useful as a carrier and found its niche as a seaplane tender, is distinguished from Lexington-class ships that might also have entered reserve. The answer is explicitly tentative, but it shows that reserve allowances can affect new construction as well as the later use of old hulls.