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LTCMTS -> Zuikaku and Phoenix (9/8/2003 11:14:39 PM)
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Hi Mogami. Actually the "Phoenix" sisters were upgraded "Hiryus" and continued the pattern of flight deck level funnels. In fact, all the converted light carriers (Shoho, Zuiho, Chitose, Chiyoda, Ryuho, Ibuki), escort carriers and the "Hiryu" repeats of the "Unryu" class sported flight deck level funnels. The converted and redesigned USN light carriers of the "Independence" and "Saipan" classes also had flight deck level stacks, but the were vertical, rather than horizontal. Most conversions had similar responses to the disposal of power plant exhaust. Only a few conversions, such as Shinano, Junyo, Hiyo, Europa, Aquila and the USN's XCV program featured integrated island/stacks.
The Akagi and Kaga were completed w/o islands and with below flight deck funnels carried to the stern, along with additional forward flying off platforms for light aircraft, in conformance with RN carrier (ie. Furious, Argus) design as they understood it from their RN aviation advisors at the time the conversion designs were finalized (1921-22). The Lexington and Saratoga would have been similar, except that the USN had a closer relationship with the RN from 1917-1920, than the IJN, with a direct representative from DCN, Goodall, to advise on the experiments with integrated island/funnels that the RN was carrying out with "Eagle". The result is that the "Lexington/Saratoga" design has more in common with the "Hermes/Eagle/Glorious and Courageous" designs. The superfiring 8in mounts were pure USN though.
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