Could Hermes provide fighter cover for Force Z?

Could Hermes be brought in to provide Force Z with even a small number of fighters?

A few Sea Gladiators are considered potentially useful, but carrier and aircraft availability limit the proposal. The later check places Hermes in refit, so her participation is judged unlikely.

Even a small fighter group is considered useful against torpedo bombers operating at the end of their range. Sea Gladiators are proposed for Hermes, while a suggestion to use Hurricanes runs into aircraft availability and the carrier's short deck and lack of catapults. Sea Hurricanes are described as committed to the Mediterranean at this point. A later check revises the idea by placing Hermes in refit from 19 November until 31 January 1942. That makes her availability unlikely, although the hypothetical commander would still call to confirm it. The final assessment therefore remains conditional and includes the refit obstacle.