An Admiral-class carrier at the Denmark Strait

Could Prince of Wales and Hood have been joined by an Admiral-class carrier at the Denmark Strait?

Potentially. The extra carrier could join that force, and its importance would make a substantial escort much more likely.

A hypothetical Admiral-class carrier could have accompanied Hood and Prince of Wales to the Denmark Strait. The scenario adds a carrier to Royal Navy strength and assumes that such a large, important ship would receive substantial protection. Courageous and Glorious are judged to have suffered from being treated as less central assets than their aviation role warranted. Under this proposal, smaller or older carriers such as Argus, Eagle, Hermes, and possibly Furious would handle anti-submarine work. A further suggestion places part of the same force with Force Z as a self-contained group that had trained together.