British carriers could draw on a global base network and later use HMS Unicorn as a forward aviation-support ship, reducing the need to carry every spare airframe in the combat carrier. American and Japanese fleets preparing for Pacific operations had far fewer nearby bases and therefore needed to take more of their support system with them. Deck parking could enlarge an air group in Pacific conditions but was much riskier in the North Sea and North Atlantic, where weather could carry aircraft overboard. Published totals are therefore ambiguous unless the reader knows whether they describe operational aircraft, hangar capacity, dismantled spares, or a maximum deck park.
Notable Point · 37:21-39:34
Theater and operating practice change air group counts
Aircraft-capacity figures can count flyable machines, hangar stowage, spare components, or deck parks, and the useful total changes with geography and weather.