Would Illustrious- and Implacable-class carriers have been better served by U.S.-style taller hangars and deck-edge elevators?
Short answerDeck-edge elevators could help, but taller hangars would create major topweight and balancing problems.
NotesDeck-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.