Q&A · 2:08:22-2:09:50

Would taller hangars improve British armored carriers?

Deck-edge elevators might help British armored carriers, but taller hangars would impose serious topweight and displacement penalties.

Question

Would Illustrious- and Implacable-class carriers have been better served by U.S.-style taller hangars and deck-edge elevators?

Short answer

Deck-edge elevators could help, but taller hangars would create major topweight and balancing problems.

Notes

Deck-edge elevators and taller hangars impose different costs on a British armoured carrier. An edge elevator could improve aircraft handling without overturning the basic design. Raising the hangar adds topweight and forces compensating changes elsewhere in the ship. A seemingly simple increase in aircraft clearance therefore becomes a whole-ship problem involving structure, stability, and displacement.