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Historically, they were lightly built ships limited by the treaties. Ryujo started at just 8000 tons, Soryu was 15,900 tons and Hiryu 17,300 tons all inferior in size to the US Ranger and Yorktown class.

Could they have managed to built them to roughly similar size to the americans CVs and getting away with it, at least until 1936 or 1937? Would genuinely like to know what kind of mechanism were in place to check the adherence to the treaties.

Certainly, Ryujo being designed at say 9,990 tons (to explore the perceived loophole for small carriers before 1930) but rebuilt to say 12,000 tons standard and 14,000 full carrying 50 aircraft (45 operational) would have been a more useful ship. Am i getting things mixed up here or i read correctly that actually Ryujo ended up TOO light by mistake?

As for Soryu and Hiryu, having them designed to a 18,000-19,000 tons standard and 22-23,000 tons full would have also provide more aircraft (say 80, with 66 operational) and a bit more protection. Probably speed would be reduced to 33kt with same engines, but still plenty ample.

Zuikaku would have just been the icing on the cake then, with better protection again, stronger AA etc. Could have even used couple of thousands tons more for extra aircraft still (say 96, with 78 operational) or protection by making her also a 33kt carrier.
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