Well RP-wise we simply don't have the resources or time to build any significant number of heavy battleships, which are generally only useful in large groups as either a standing defence (which isn't particularly required now that the gates were destroyed) or an invasion force (our defensive role in this war doesn't really work too well with this). With the focus instead shifting towards smaller and cheaper ships (mostly bombers), a Carrier to service those ships on and beyond the defensive lines is more effective.
The lighter gunship is also much cheaper to produce than the heavy gunboat we currently have, which also suffers against snubs, while also being less of an easy target for the GRN heavies.
As for the models, I did like the chin on the Carrier and would have preferred the Mk III to still keep a bit of it (now it has less than the Dunkirk), I still think it is an improvement overall (and nice to see it textured).
The gunship I'm still not a fan of, although the lack of a textured screen may be a little to do with that. Still better than the "larger ring" version that was first proposed though.
