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The location, combat activity, and operational status for each American aircraft carrier at the end of each month over the entire war is available at the "Collection of Statistics on US Aircraft Carriers" in the reference document section at the World War II Database. [55]
Aircraft carriers of World War II by country Aircraft carriers serve as a seagoing airbases, equipped with a flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying and recovering aircraft. [ 1 ] Typically, they are the capital ships of a fleet, as they project air power worldwide without depending on local bases for operational support.
During World War II, the United States Navy purchased two Great Lakes side-wheel paddle steamers and converted them into freshwater aircraft carrier training ships. Both vessels were designated with the hull classification symbol IX and lacked hangar decks , elevators or armaments .
Pages in category "World War II aircraft carriers of the United States" The following 55 pages are in this category, out of 55 total. This list may not reflect recent changes .
Some carrier aircraft served in dual roles, such as fighter-bomber and bomber-reconnaissance aircraft. Carrier aircraft functions. Torpedo and dive bombers attacked enemy warships, transports, merchant ships, and land installations. Fighters accompanied bombers on attack missions, protecting them during interceptions by enemy fighters.
Boeing XF8B - Prototype carrier-based fighter-bomber; Boeing XPBB Sea Ranger - Flying boat/patrol bomber; Brewster F2A Buffalo - Carrier-based fighter; Brewster SBA/Naval Aircraft Factory SBN - Carrier-based scout bomber/trainer; Brewster SB2A Buccaneer - Carrier-based scout bomber; Budd RB-1 Conestoga - Transport; Cessna JRC - Transport
The first true aircraft carrier was HMS Argus, [2] [4] launched in late 1917 with a complement of 20 aircraft and a flight deck 550 ft (170 m) long and 68 ft (21 m) wide. [4] The last aircraft carrier sunk in wartime was the Japanese aircraft carrier Amagi , in Kure Harbour in July 1945.
The keel of Ranger, the first American ship designed and constructed as an aircraft carrier, was laid down in 1931, and the ship was commissioned in 1934. [2] Following Ranger and before the entry of the United States into World War II, four more carriers were commissioned. Wasp was essentially an improved version of Ranger.