Glider
Captain
If you want to have the most influential class of warship then I believe its the other end of the spectrum.
I would go for the River Class frigates. This formed that backbone of the A/S war in the Atlantic and formed the basis for the design of the US Destroyer Escorts. If you total these together you will have over 500 warships based on the River Class. That is influence.
The Essex class were superb vessels and had a major impact on the war, but what did they Influence?
The Enterprise had a very active war and influenced the design of the Essex Class.
The Illustrious (which I admit was my choice for vessel) had a busy war, Influenced the design of later carriers and developed tactics which certainly had an impact on the war.
I would go for the River Class frigates. This formed that backbone of the A/S war in the Atlantic and formed the basis for the design of the US Destroyer Escorts. If you total these together you will have over 500 warships based on the River Class. That is influence.
The Essex class were superb vessels and had a major impact on the war, but what did they Influence?
The Enterprise had a very active war and influenced the design of the Essex Class.
The Illustrious (which I admit was my choice for vessel) had a busy war, Influenced the design of later carriers and developed tactics which certainly had an impact on the war.