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The real problem was aircraft fuel - if the spotting plane was to be useful, it needed to be fueled and ready to go. In action, the soon-to-be-launched plane was a fire hazard and leaking fuel could cause secondary explosions inside the turret. Unfueled, the aircraft could be damaged by the concussions from the turret's guns.

When a Captain Stott (commanding Idaho ? in 1938) pointed out this danger, BuAer took him to task for ignoring the party line.

The war proved him right, and the high turrets were removed from every ship that could use a low turret.

Cheers,



Dana