The closing counterfactual is grounded in the doctrinal history rather than a claim that the aircraft would have failed. An early gull-wing naval Spitfire could have improved immediate interception and allowed more fighters aboard an Illustrious-class carrier. Its very effectiveness, however, might have preserved launch-on-warning doctrine until larger Mediterranean raids overwhelmed it, whereas airborne patrols offered more time and depth to meet mass attacks.
Notable Point · 38:13-40:45
Could the ideal interceptor have been a poison chalice?
A successful early naval Spitfire might have reduced immediate losses while delaying adoption of a more resilient combat-air-patrol system.