Page 346 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

344 AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

1914–1945 The earliest aircraft-carrying ships actually functioned as floating

seaplane bases. Although experimentation had taken place earlier, it
was not until after World War I that true aircraft carriers, capable of

significant advances had been made, and the British Royal Navy had a
ARS launching aircraft and recovering them, entered service. By 1939, ▲ HMS FURIOUS Ordered as a light battlecruiser, Furious was
dozen such carriers in operation or under construction. The Imperial
Japanese Navy had a similar number, and the US Navy had eight. It was
completed as a makeshift aircraft carrier with
Commissioned 1917 Origin UK
the US Navy that subsequently embraced the type most wholeheartedly,
ORLD W constructing huge numbers of “fleet” carriers, and lighter, less-capable Displacement 22,890 tons a short flying-off deck forward. It was later
completely reconstructed from the main
1
Length 786 ⁄2ft (239.7m)
deck upwards, and equipped to operate 36
“escort” carriers during the course of World War II. Many such escort
aircraft. It served with distinction, almost
Top speed 30 knots
carriers were also constructed in the US for the British Royal Navy.
unscathed, until September 1944.
THE W Flight deck was Two 8in guns in turret
unarmored

▲ USS SARATOGA Ordered as part of a group of six Hangar deck Command bridge and flight
Commissioned 1927 Origin US battlecruisers at the end of World War I, operations control centre
Saratoga and sister-ship Lexington were selected
Displacement 43,055 tons
for completion as carriers. It became the US “Island” contained bridge
Length 888ft (270.7m) Navy’s first effective carrier, and survived and flight control
Top speed 33 knots World War II, winning seven battle stars.
3
Two 4 ⁄4in anti-
Two levels of aircraft guns
hangar deck

▲ AKAGI Akagi was completed as a carrier with a three- Hull had bulges to improve
Commissioned 1927 Origin Japan level flight deck, which allowed aircraft to stability and give protection
take off from hangar-deck levels and land
Displacement 42,750 tons on the (truncated) upper deck. The boiler against torpedoes
Armored
1
Length 855 ⁄2ft (260.7m) flues were on the starboard side, and an Armored flight hangar deck
Top speed 31 knots island was not fitted until Akagi was deck 3in thick
comprehensively rebuilt along more
orthodox lines between 1935–38.
▼ HMS ARK ROYAL The British Royal Navy’s first large purpose-
Commissioned 1938 Origin UK built aircraft carrier, Ark Royal introduced
many design elements—including steam
Displacement 27,720 tons catapults—that were used in later types.
Length 800ft (243.8m) Although well protected, it succumbed
Top speed 31 knots to a torpedo in the Mediterranean in 1941,
having ferried much-needed aircraft to Malta.

Two 4.5in high-angle
quick-firing guns Four 2-pounder
“pom-pom” anti-
Flight operations aircraft guns Upper
control platform hangar deck