The US Navy could justify and operate purpose-built tenders because it controlled its maritime reconnaissance aviation. The Barnegat class demonstrates that the basic ship need not be an elaborate carrier: workshops, cranes, and support spaces mattered more than extensive onboard aircraft stowage. A tender could also remain useful after shore facilities opened by sharing heavy maintenance and recovery work with the land base. British tenders could have complemented later shore bases, but without ships, aircraft, and funded units the concept remained unavailable when war began.
Chapter · 22:12-25:35
The US Navy example exposed Britain's funding problem
American control of maritime aviation supported ships such as the Barnegat class, while Britain lacked the money and aircraft establishment for an equivalent force.