The unresolved count of aircraft lost with USS Wasp

Why do some sources say USS Wasp sank with about 45 aircraft when wreck imagery shows only three SBD Dauntless aircraft?

The discrepancy remains unresolved; the higher figure probably follows published histories, but the stream does not identify evidence that reconciles it with the wreck.

The question contrasts published claims that USS Wasp carried about 45 aircraft when she sank with archaeological images showing only three SBD Dauntless aircraft in the wreckage. The answer cannot reconcile those figures from the evidence available during the stream. It suggests that the higher figure repeated online probably comes from established books, but does not identify or validate the underlying source. This remains a source problem for further research rather than a settled aircraft-loss count.