Q&A ยท 4:20:26-4:24:06

World of Warships supercarriers enter service in 1939

Britain and Japan could exploit the new flight decks more readily than a US Navy suddenly handed the very large United States design.

Question

What if major navies received their World of Warships Tier XI supercarriers in January 1939?

Short answer

Britain and Japan could exploit their carriers quickly, while the United States would struggle to integrate the huge United States design and its advanced systems.

Notes

The Royal Navy would be delighted to receive the game version of HMS Eagle, while retaining the older carrier under the traditional Eaglet name. The older ship still offers a useful flight deck and could nearly double the strength available for an attack such as Taranto. Japan's Sekiryu brings an armored flight deck and substantial onboard maintenance, qualities the panel sees as compatible with Japanese carrier needs. The United States would have more difficulty deciding how to use the enormous United States design and its unusual air group. Advanced aircraft and weapons would also demand knowledge and support that did not exist in 1939. As with the super-battleship scenario, the gift is only as useful as the navy's ability to integrate it into doctrine, bases, aircraft production, and maintenance.