5 THE POST-1945 ERA

The largest carriers of the wartime era were the three ships of the Midway class, originally described by the USN as ‘battle carriers’ (designated CVB), and which were designed to operate up to 137 aircraft. USS Midway (CVB 41) was laid down in October 1943 and was completed in September 1945 after less than two years, just too late to see wartime service. Her design and construction in such a short time were remarkable achievements.

The nine ships of the Independence class, the American equivalent of the British light fleet carriers, were built on cruiser hulls and also achieved remarkably short build times, some of the later ones being completed in as little as 14 months. The last escort carriers to be built, the 19 ships of the Commencement Bay class, were designed from the outset as warships; several were completed in only 11 months and went on to see service in a variety of roles post-war.

By 1945 the RN had seven fleet aircraft carriers on order, four of them the Malta class, which was broadly equivalent to the USN Midways, and a further 20 light fleet carriers. Five of the fleet carriers were cancelled; one of them, originally to have been named Eagle, was nearly ready to be launched, but was scrapped on the slipway instead.

Of the two completed, one was the ship that had been laid down as but was renamed when her sistership was cancelled, and (IV). These new ships