Q&A ยท 32:56-33:21

British carrier aircraft by 1944

A viewer asks what aircraft the Royal Navy was operating from carriers by the Philippine Sea period.

Question

What did the British use for carrier aircraft at this stage of the war?

Short answer

By 1944 the Royal Navy used Hellcats, Corsairs, Avengers, Barracudas, and Seafires, while Wildcats and Swordfish remained well suited to escort-carrier convoy work.

Notes

The 1944 Fleet Air Arm used Hellcats, Corsairs, Avengers, Barracudas, and Seafires aboard the main carrier force, while Wildcats and Swordfish remained useful on escort carriers. Aircraft suitability depended on the carrier and mission rather than on a single universal ranking. Older types still had value when convoy escort and compact flight decks rewarded reliability and low-speed handling.