Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:45:52-1:46:31

When Furious would have been replaced in a larger carrier programme

A hypothetical Malta replacement leads to an earlier retirement sequence for Britain's older converted carriers.

Counterfactual HistoryHMS EagleHMS FuriousIllustrious Class Aircraft CarriersImplacable Class Aircraft CarriersMalta Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal Navy
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Question

Would Furious have been replaced by another Malta-class carrier?

Short answer

Possibly, but Furious would probably have retired earlier, around the arrival of the Implacables rather than the Maltas.

Notes

Furious is judged unlikely to remain in service long enough to be directly replaced by a Malta-class carrier. Her continued usefulness and the absence of a replacement are given as reasons for retaining her historically. In the suggested alternative fleet sequence, Furious, Courageous and Glorious could survive the arrival of the Illustrious class, but the Implacables would probably allow Furious to go. Eagle is expected to last longer than Furious in this comparison.