Ark Royal and Hiryu as fast strike carriers

Ark Royal was designed around a large striking force of Swordfish, Skua, and later Fulmar aircraft, though crew shortages and increasing aircraft size reduced practical capacity. Hiryu was smaller and faster, with Zero fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers forming a balanced attack group. Ark Royal's changing wartime complements also show how maintenance space and available trained crews constrained paper capacity. The comparison highlights different ways to turn speed, hangar volume, and aircraft mix into fleet striking power.