Q&A ยท 4:03:57-4:04:14

Could stretched Invincibles have closed Britain's carrier gap?

An 80-foot extension is considered as a possible bridge from Invincible to Queen Elizabeth, with an uncertain outcome.

Question

Would an 80-foot Invincible extension have kept carrier aviation running until Queen Elizabeth entered service?

Short answer

It is considered possible, with doubt that an extension alone would necessarily have avoided the gap.

Notes

An 80-foot extension is considered as a way Invincible-class carriers could have lasted into the Queen Elizabeth transition. The response is hesitant about whether that would actually have preserved continuous operations. No detailed funding, aircraft or service-life calculation is offered in this short exchange.