WaltBJ wrote:

Ref: Aluminum construction - I should think that the incident with the
Belknap would have put the kibosh on aluminum construction. After the
collision they could have rebuilt it with a flight deck - the AL
superstructure was damn near zeroed.
Walt BJ

Pretty much did. But all the ships with same in the Falklands that were
hit had already been designed and/or completed, i.e. the Type 21s and the
Sir Lancelot class LSLs. Photos of Sir Tristram are particularly
interesting. The superstructure was softened and distorted due to the
fire, but everything below the weather deck (the hull was steel) was
essentially intact, so they were able to use her as an accomodation ship
in the Falklands after the war, then transport her back to the UK (can't
remember if she was towed or put on a barge ship) and replace the
superstructure (with a steel one, I think) along with the other repairs
required.

Guy