Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:48:13-2:48:38

British aircraft available for Coral Sea or Midway

A Royal Navy force joining the 1942 carrier battles would most plausibly bring Albacores with Sea Hurricanes or Fulmars.

Battle Of MidwayBattle of the Coral SeaFairey AlbacoreFairey FulmarFleet Air ArmHawker Sea Hurricane
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Question

What aircraft would a Royal Navy carrier force bring to Coral Sea or Midway?

Short answer

Most likely Albacores with Sea Hurricanes or Fulmars, reflecting what the Fleet Air Arm could field at that stage of 1942.

Notes

The counterfactual is bounded by the aircraft actually available at the time. Albacores would provide the torpedo and strike component. Fighter cover would come from Sea Hurricanes or possibly Fulmars rather than later British or American types. Naming that air group prevents a surviving carrier force from receiving capabilities that had not yet entered Fleet Air Arm service.