Comments by "Steve Valley" (@stevevalley7835) on "The Drydock - Episode 176" video.

@danpower-JP Probably no Essexes were sold to allies because the USN was still using them through the 50s and 60s. Another thought is the Essexes, due to their size, were more expensive to operate. Then there is the age issue, and trying to source replacement parts, by the time the USN was done with them. I read a magazine article about the Lexington in the 70s, that talked about how other WWII ships were being cannibalized for spares to keep the Lex going.
2
@marcusfranconium3392 Why not use the Italian 15"? First thought is the "not invented here syndrome". Same as why did Bismark have German single shot 37mm AA guns, rather than the full automatic Italian 37mm. Part German national pride, part was probably paranoia on the Italian's part parting with weapons technology before the war. It seems it wasn't until both countries were well stuck into the war that technology sharing started.
2
@andrewcox4386 probably because about 70 of the earlier 16"/50, enough to arm all six planned Iowas, with several spares, had been made, so it would be cheaper to use the old guns, rather than design and build new ones. Think of it as the USN version of using WWI vintage 15"42s and Mk 1 turrets on Vanguard.
1
@marcusfranconium3392 the Italian ships could not get past Gibraltar without taking a lot of damage. There could have been much more synergy between Italy and Germany, if they had worked more closely. Italian 15" and 37mm guns on German ships. Italian troops with German tanks. Italian aircraft with German engines. It works both ways. Imagine USN TBDs with the British Mk 12 torpedoes (leave the magnetic pistols at home). and USN subs with British Mk 8 (leave the magnetic pistols at home)
1