What if Britain suddenly found four Malta-class carriers in harbor in 1938?
Short answerBritain would gain major carrier capacity, but the urgent issue would be aircraft orders and adapting the rest of the carrier program around them.
NotesFour Malta-class carriers appearing in 1938 would give Britain extensive aircraft capacity and an immediate need to fill it. Later carrier designs might change, while the Illustrious class could remain as planned. The proposed gull-wing Seafire would probably attract earlier orders because the Royal Navy would push hard for aircraft to equip the new carriers. The timing of the Inskip Award and the scheduled 1939 transfer of naval aviation control would make procurement especially important. In this scenario, Seafire orders might arrive alongside the early Spitfire orders.