Been looking at rebuilding an Alaska class cruiser for some time now, and since Straycat has a similar project, I have decided to do this ship as Hawaii CBV-3, to avoid confusion.
The Hawaii, as a cruiser, never actually made it far enough to be commissioned, but in my altered state of reality (welcome to my brain) she did; and was later (late 1970's-early 1980's) used as a test platform for some of the conversion work intended for the Iowa class battleships.
I have decided on a version with an elevated flight deck and hangar bay below arrangement, replacing the No. Three main battery turret. Of course she will lose all of her 40mm and 20mm antiaircraft suite, and some of her 5"/38 DP mounts, but will naturally gain, in exchange, several modernized systems such a Tomahawk and ABL's and CIWS, plus a bunch more stuff.
Narrative: “HAWAII’s final modernization in 1979-80 was among other things, the primary testbed for the Iowa class modernization programs. It was decided with the adequate numbers of full deck carriers, a hybrid cruiser / carrier would provide suitable facilities for a variety of aircraft, specifically helicopters and VTOL craft, in both scouting / observation and assault /support operational missions. The ship, with surface / subsurface escorts, would be utilized for power projection when a full carrier task force would be excessive or prohibitive, and for amphibious battle group command / support, adding an available deck and NGFS and standoff asset protective armaments”.
I have come up with a few drawings to illustrate the conceptual design.
"Why do I do this? Because the money's good, the scenery changes and they let me use explosives, okay?"