Four shafts reflected the Royal Navy's preference for redundancy and survivability in major warships. A large vessel designed with fewer shafts usually signalled a compromise in weight, cost, or construction time. Malta's projected 33.25-knot top speed is explicitly theoretical and should not be read as a guaranteed service figure. The proposed air group ranged from roughly 80 to 108 aircraft, with the upper figure relying on substantial deck parking. That arrangement suited the Pacific better than the frequently attacked Mediterranean or the North Atlantic, where severe weather could sweep exposed aircraft from a flight deck.
Notable Point · 23:45-25:42
Four shafts, speed, and the practical air group
Four shafts promised redundancy, while the difference between roughly 80 and 108 aircraft depended on whether conditions allowed extensive deck parking.