Our next talk is on 13th Jan 2026 at 7.30pm 

 U.S. Navy Fleet Aircraft Carriers - 1922- 1945 

Rob Bucknall will discuss:

• The Washington Naval Treaty

• The use of carriers

• The first, inter-war classes and development until 1939, including aircraft used

• WW2 designs plus aircraft developments

• Operational use

This will include the first 2 carriers - ex battlecruiser hulls, how the US Navy intended to use them, the later Yorktown ships followed by WW2 construction - Independence and Essex classes.  

The talk will be mainly on their design, performance, survivability, gun armament, aircraft carried and service records.  It will not be a history of the war in the Pacific.  Rob will also make brief comparison with Royal Navy carrier design considerations which differed from those adopted by USN.

No advance tickets are required.

All are welcome and a liveley discussion is guaranteed!

There is a small admission charge of £5 to cover venue rental cost (includes free tea & coffee).  Pay on the door.