Quote:
Originally Posted by clive bradbury
Yes, the US Navy were quite envious of the RN steel decks, especially once kamikazes were about.
The RN oted for steel from the start because British carriers were expected to operate within the range of enemy land-based bombers e.g. the Med. This policy paid off when they moved to the Pacific as well.
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The use of wooden decks on US carriers was also due to a fundamental difference in belief about the best placement of the strength deck. Americans preferred to have the strength deck be the hangar deck which allowed for greater overhead hangar height and a much larger air wing, whereas the British preferred the flight deck as the strength deck, which made for a smaller hangar deck and room for fewer aircraft, but allowed for the flight deck to take more damage before being put out of action.