Dr. Clarke has found notes discussing a sub-10,000-ton carrier based on Hermes soon after Washington, but has not located a corresponding design. The proposal's advocates thought funding could be obtained. It could expand aircraft production for the Fleet Air Arm, then within the Royal Air Force, at a time when that relationship still seemed promising. The objection was the expectation that other navies would follow Britain's example. The notes therefore support consideration of the concept while leaving its detailed design uncertain.
Notable Point · 1:10:09-1:11:35
Why Britain declined a Hermes-derived small carrier
A Hermes-derived small carrier was considered, but fear that rivals would copy it weighed against the concept.