Glorious enters refit in 1934, Courageous follows in 1935, and Furious is available for later work in 1939. Their First World War-era Yarrow-derived small-tube boilers make the converted carriers conspicuous candidates for the more compact 850 psi plant. Boiler replacement would lengthen the refits, but it could improve speed, range, machinery weight, and the ships' wider combat capability. The staggered schedule also lets the Royal Navy accumulate operating experience before and alongside Ark Royal and the Illustrious-class programme.
Notable Point · 24:53-28:02
Glorious, Courageous, and Furious phase in the new plant
The historical refit sequence gives the Royal Navy a staged route for replacing the converted carriers' First World War-era boilers and learning from each installation.