Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:10:44-2:12:58

Demand for flight decks repeatedly saved Argus from retirement

The Royal Navy considered retiring HMS Argus before and during the Second World War, then returned her to service whenever another flight deck was needed.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier AvailabilityFleet Air ArmHMS ArgusNaval Readiness
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

When did the Royal Navy try to retire HMS Argus?

Short answer

It considered retirement before the war and again around 1942-43, but recurring demand for another flight deck kept returning Argus to service.

Notes

Argus was old and slow enough that retirement looked reasonable before the outbreak of war. The Royal Navy nevertheless found that carrier demand exceeded the number of modern decks available and brought her back into use. A similar discussion returned around 1942-43, only for operational need to preserve the ship again. Her career demonstrates how force structure can give an obsolete platform continuing value when the missing capability is not excellence but the availability of one more working flight deck.