Barracuda timing and tailored British carrier air groups

Would the Barracuda have worked without the outbreak of war, and what air groups might the Royal Navy have fielded?

Yes; a timely Barracuda and new fighter could support role-specific air groups on Ark Royal and the armoured carriers by 1941-42.

The Barracuda was a workable design whose development schedule suffered from wartime priorities. In a peacetime sequence, Ark Royal might combine Barracuda strike aircraft, Fulmar reconnaissance fighters, and dedicated interceptors. Smaller armoured carriers would carry a more compact fighter-and-Barracuda mix, while later larger ships could approach Ark Royal's air-group size. Aircraft development, deck capacity, and carrier roles would evolve as one system rather than as independent equipment choices.