Wasp's deck-edge elevator preserved hangar and internal working space, helping a 14,900-ton carrier accommodate a large air group. Her more enclosed structure also made her a stronger design than Ranger. Both ships sacrificed speed: Ranger made 29.3 knots and Wasp 29.5, compared with Lexington's 34.5 and Yorktown's 32.5. The faster carriers had demonstrated the operational value of speed, which helped shape US doctrine. Deck-edge lifts and some deck parking might also have raised an Illustrious-class air group from roughly 36 to 48 aircraft, though that would have required changes elsewhere in the design. British doubts included memories of losing aircraft in the North Sea and concerns about survivability.
Notable Point · 1:06:20-1:10:22
Wasp's deck-edge lift creates aviation space
Wasp's deck-edge elevator shows how one arrangement could improve hangar space and air-group capacity within a constrained hull.