Well, after a slight pause in my activity around here, a certain drawing on another site caught my attention:
http://www.rp-one.net/usn_1912_bc/usn_1912_bc.htmlSkipping the parts about cost, logistics, labor, and other historical ties around the design stage, what if it did get built by 1917, how many would there be? I doubt they would see much service as battlecruisers in WWI, but through the Washington Naval Treaty, would they become some of America's first carriers? Or take the place of the Wyoming and Arkansas as battlewagons? At the supposed 1250 foot length, and with pretty thick armor, vast possibilities are available for either.
As a carrier, I'm guessing something along the lines of 100 WWII-era aircraft, with 110-120 pre-war. It would most likely look like a Lexington on steroids (especially the funnel). An armament of 12 5"/25s would also be possible, and maybe even while keeping some 6"/(53s???) in casemates, and 4 twin 8"/55s. That would be an awesome sight! WWII gets even better. With the priority based more towards keeping Germany in line, the X-number of these carriers would in the Atlantic–leaving Ranger and Wasp in Pearl, or on the West Coast. In other words, they survive to fight in the Pacific. As the war progresses, 6",8", and 5"/25s get replaced by single or twin 5"/38s. Early on, 12-16 quad 1.1"/75s are installed, with 50+ light AA guns (concentrated at the top of the funnel). At least one would survive the war, alongside Enterprise, Saratoga, and (Ranger?).
As battlewagons, they would be some of the most vicious things ever. With 8 14"/45s (probably to be upgraded to 14"/50s in the '30s), they would be undergunned with main armament, but with at least 16 6"/(53s?), (possibly upgraded to turreted mounts in '30s) the secondaries would be a great harassment to enemy ships. AA would be simplistic, with 4-8 3"/50s and 4-8 5"/25s (6-7 1.1"/75s, 10+ .50s added later). WWII would bring a TON of new things. A brand new funnel (similar to Lexington) would change the look of the ship(s). With 1250 feet, there would be enough crew space for many different weapons. 10-16(!) twin 5"/38s, 20-38 quad and 2-8 twin 40mm, and 50-80 20mm cannon would litter the decks.
My thought would number about 4 battlecruisers being built. That would leave MAYBE up to 4 Lexingtons being planned, rather than the original 6. It's even possible Jupiter wouldn't even have been converted had the battlecruiser taken its place. I'd say that a 1250 foot long carrier that early in aviation history would make many changes in the design of the carriers that would come. How about you guys?
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