Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:45:00-1:45:38

Ark Royal's likely British Pacific Fleet air group

A surviving Ark Royal could operate late-war aircraft without difficulty and would probably deploy a Corsair-heavy group supported by Fireflies and Avengers.

British Pacific FleetF4U CorsairFairey FireflyGrumman TBF AvengerHMS Ark RoyalNaval Aviation
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Question

What air group might Ark Royal carry if she survived to join the late Pacific war?

Short answer

Probably a Corsair-heavy group with many Fireflies and some Avengers.

Notes

Ark Royal could handle the aircraft available for the late Pacific war. Her likely group would be heavy in Corsairs and Fireflies, with Avengers also possible. The emphasis on Corsairs gives the carrier a strong fighter component. This would be a late-war Pacific air group rather than a continuation of her prewar establishment.