User blog comment:AdvisorSmith/Ye Olde WWII Aircraft Carrier Discussions Blog/@comment-27822411-20160213014407/@comment-27822411-20160213022007

Just Fleet Carrier. That is what I'd call it. In this ranking, I'd consider her a "Built in War" Carrier, but I didn't think we should have such a category as there was really no competition of the best of that category. Essex class was best.

Now, for the others IMHO

Protocarrier: Hermes and Hosho were the best. They were faster than the others and taught many good lessons for their navies on how to build carriers

Washington Conversion: I can't say. Probably Saratoga as she was modernised later in the war, but the others weren't that far off, with the exception of the Courageous class: smaller and carried less aircraft. Like half the ammount.

Treaty: Yorktown was best. Modernised later on for great AA defence and could carry 90 aircraft. That is a heavy ammount. You can't go better. Oh, and she was better protected.

Stop gap: Many to choose from. Wasp does to seem to be the best: only slightly less aircraft then Yorktown class and had similar AA defence at the time. Speed was slow, but acceptable.

Prewar: Shokaku. They have great protection, good AA (For a Japanese warship anyway) and respecable airwing. Illustrious is not far off, but her small airwing leaves much to be desired.

Convert Merchant: Hiyo. I mean, she had 50 aircraft and a decend AA defence. Speed-wise, she was actually faster then some of the escort carriers. Overal, she gave good use for her type.