Q&A · 53:47-54:23

Ark Royal was easier to keep operating than Eagle

Both postwar carriers were in poor condition, but Ark Royal offered the easier near-term path to continued service.

Aircraft Carriers Fleet Maintenance HMS Ark Royal HMS Eagle Royal Navy

Question

Should the Royal Navy have retained Eagle rather than Ark Royal?

Short answer

Not clearly; both were in poor condition, and Ark Royal was easier to sustain even if Eagle might have offered a longer ultimate life.

Notes

Eagle's condition did not make her the obvious ship to retain. She might have lasted longer after sufficient work, but Ark Royal was easier to keep going within the immediate maintenance and funding constraints.