Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:11:23-4:12:13

A minimum fleet carrier for eighteen Swordfish

Hermes, Argus and Vindictive are compared against room for eighteen Swordfish and enough speed to accompany the fleet.

Aircraft CarriersFairey SwordfishHMS ArgusHMS HermesHMS VindictiveWorld War I
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Question

What is the smallest fleet carrier for eighteen Swordfish if it must keep up with the fleet?

Short answer

Hermes remains the suggested purpose-built answer, with Argus relevant as a conversion and Vindictive judged less successful.

Notes

The clarified requirement is an air group of eighteen Swordfish on a small carrier able to keep up with the fleet. Folding wings help make that complement plausible. Hermes remains the preferred purpose-built example in the answer. Argus can enter the size discussion as a conversion, while Vindictive is treated as an unsuccessful alternative. The candidates must still be distinguished by their origin and completion dates rather than grouped as carriers available throughout World War I.