rdered by the U.S. Navy in 1940, the 30,800-ton -class aircraft carrier was a logical improvement over the 19,800-ton (CV-5) class. No longer bound by construction limitations imposed by the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty, the United States designed the class (CV-9) and sister ship (CV-10), with the light carrier (CVL-22), launched their first strike, against Marcus Island on Aug. 31, 1943, the class proved able to survive tremendous punishment—most dramatically demonstrated in 1945 by the battle-damaged (CV-13) and (CV-17). The class was also adaptable to a series of improvements, including lengthened decks on several carriers. Air groups initially totaled 90 aircraft per carrier, 36 of which were fighters, 36 dive bombers and 18 torpedo bombers. By December 1944 the composition had changed to 73 fighters (four of which were radar-equipped Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat or Vought F4U-2 Corsair night fighters), 15 dive bombers (with fighters also shouldering that role) and 15 torpedo bombers. Though the built-in deck catapults saw little use at first, up-armored planes required the carriers to launch up to 40 percent of their aircraft by 1945.
