Several navies explored carriers below the Washington Treaty's 10,000-ton threshold. American studies alternated between a ship dedicated to scouting and fighter operations and a cruiser-carrier armed with 8-inch guns. The dedicated aviation role offered a way to extend reconnaissance across the Pacific, complementing the long-range coverage supplied by PBY Catalina flying boats. Assigning a small carrier to each cruiser squadron would give that formation its own reconnaissance and fighter cover. The accompanying cruisers would supply gun power and protect the carrier from opponents that closed the range. This division of work depended on keeping the flight deck focused on aviation rather than drawing it into the cruisers' surface fight.
Chapter · 23:40-26:44
U.S. baby carriers could extend cruiser scouting
Sub-10,000-ton U.S. studies make the most sense as specialized fighter and reconnaissance carriers supporting cruiser squadrons across the Pacific.