Q&A · 1:54:52-1:56:29

Doubling Washington Treaty carrier tonnage

More treaty carrier tonnage could produce larger British and Japanese fleets and encourage earlier French and Italian carrier programs.

Question

What if Washington Treaty carrier tonnage were doubled while the 27,000-ton ship limit remained?

Short answer

The major navies could build more full-sized carriers, and France and Italy might enter carrier construction early enough to reshape Mediterranean warfare.

Notes

With a 27,000-ton per-ship limit but twice the aggregate tonnage, Britain could standardize on larger, less compromised carriers resembling an Ark Royal or Implacable concept. Repeating a common full-sized design would also reduce the need to accept numerous small-carrier compromises. Japan would gain similar freedom, while French construction could prompt an Italian response. The Mediterranean might develop genuine carrier competition before or during the Second World War.