Q&A · 3:04:57-3:10:41

How large Admiral-class hangars could reshape Fleet Air Arm aircraft

Larger Admiral-class hangars could support twin-engine torpedo aircraft and eventually a wider twin-engine air group, although cost and manoeuvrability objections would remain.

Question

What arguments would be made against an all-twin-engine air group on a large Admiral-class carrier conversion?

Short answer

Cost and maneuverability objections would remain, but once large hangars removed the main space constraint, range, payload, and survivability would favor purpose-built twin-engine naval aircraft.

Notes

An Admiral-class carrier conversion with room for eighty to ninety aircraft changes the case for twin engines. Air Ministry objections would probably concern cost, with manoeuvrability another likely criticism. Dr. Clarke disputes the suggestion of a general naval bias against twin-engine aircraft, arguing that the historical objections came down to space inside existing hangars. In this counterfactual, torpedo aircraft would lead the change because extra power and fuel supported long-range night strikes. Reconnaissance aircraft could follow, and fighters might also adopt two engines if they could perform the required diving attacks. An entirely twin-engine air group by World War II is presented as a possible outcome of those different carrier dimensions.