US Navy Aircraft Carriers, 1942-45: WWII-Built Ships (New Vanguard)

Dominating the seas during World War II, the US aircraft carrier played a crucial role in every major naval combat of the war. Development of the Essex class began in 1941, and was the largest class of carrier ever built. During the Pacific War it formed the backbone of any fighting force and became renowned for its mighty 'Sunday Punch' - the impressive offensive power of 36 fighter planes, 36 dive bombers, and 18 torpedo planes. The Independence class was a lighter and faster carrier, built after Pearl Harbor, to bring more ships into action as quickly as possible. Alongside the Essex class their crews saw a dramatic change in tactical deployment as they began to form the fast carrier task forces that were so effective in Pacific operations. Featuring an annotated cutaway and artwork detailing both the interior and exterior features of the ships, this book explores the design, development, and deployment of both the Essex and Independence class of light carriers. This sequel to US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1922-45: Prewar classes (New Vanguard 114), provides a detailed exploration of the carriers that were at the forefront of many actions in World War II, including the climatic battles of Phillipine Sea and Leyte Gulf in 1944. Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_01_Image_0001.jpg......Page 1 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_02_Image_0001.jpg......Page 2 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_03_Image_0001.jpg......Page 3 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_04_Image_0001.jpg......Page 4 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_05_Image_0001.jpg......Page 5 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_06_Image_0001.jpg......Page 6 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_07_Image_0001.jpg......Page 7 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_08_Image_0001.jpg......Page 8 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_09_Image_0001.jpg......Page 9 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_10_Image_0001.jpg......Page 10 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_11_Image_0001.jpg......Page 11 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_12_Image_0001.jpg......Page 12 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_13_Image_0001.jpg......Page 13 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_14_Image_0001.jpg......Page 14 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_15_Image_0001.jpg......Page 15 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_16_Image_0001.jpg......Page 16 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_17_Image_0001.jpg......Page 17 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_18_Image_0001.jpg......Page 18 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_19_Image_0001.jpg......Page 19 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_20_Image_0001.jpg......Page 20 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_21_Image_0001.jpg......Page 21 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_22_Image_0001.jpg......Page 22 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_23_Image_0001.jpg......Page 23 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_24_Image_0001.jpg......Page 24 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_25_Image_0001.jpg......Page 25 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_26_Image_0001.jpg......Page 26 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_27_Image_0001.jpg......Page 27 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_28_Image_0001.jpg......Page 28 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_29_Image_0001.jpg......Page 29 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_30_Image_0001.jpg......Page 30 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_31_Image_0001.jpg......Page 31 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_32_Image_0001.jpg......Page 32 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_33_Image_0001.jpg......Page 33 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_34_Image_0001.jpg......Page 34 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_35_Image_0001.jpg......Page 35 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_36_Image_0001.jpg......Page 36 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_37_Image_0001.jpg......Page 37 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_38_Image_0001.jpg......Page 38 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_39_Image_0001.jpg......Page 39 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_40_Image_0001.jpg......Page 40 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_41_Image_0001.jpg......Page 41 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_42_Image_0001.jpg......Page 42 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_43_Image_0001.jpg......Page 43 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_44_Image_0001.jpg......Page 44 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_45_Image_0001.jpg......Page 45 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_46_Image_0001.jpg......Page 46 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_47_Image_0001.jpg......Page 47 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_48_Image_0001.jpg......Page 48 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_49_Image_0001.jpg......Page 49 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_50_Image_0001.jpg......Page 50 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_51_Image_0001.jpg......Page 51 Osprey - New Vanguard. #130. US Navy Aircraft Carriers 1942-45. WWII-Built Ships_Page_52_Image_0001.jpg......Page 52 Aircraft carriers were the US Navy's principal weapon against Japan during the Pacific War. Development of the Essex class began in 1939, becoming the largest class of carrier ever to be built. Early in the Pacific War it became renowned for its'Sunday Punch'of 36 fighter planes, 36 dive bombers, and 18 torpedo planes. Alongside the lighter Independence class, these carriers formed the formidable Fast Carrier Force in the Pacific. Featuring artwork detailing the interior and exterior features of the ships, this book explores their design, development, and the action they saw in the Pacific, including the climactic battles of Philippine Sea, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa.