One plausible design route combines Hermes as the carrier template with a County-class cruiser hull. Removing the 5.5-inch battery, using 4-inch or dual-purpose weapons, and replacing six Yarrow boilers with four Admiralty three-drum units could save weight without sacrificing the required 40,000 shaft horsepower. The County hull was longer than Hermes but had a broadly comparable beam, offering a finer and potentially more efficient basis for a flight deck. About 26 knots would not let the carrier lead the cruiser line, but it would allow continued contact while providing reconnaissance and air cover. Cruiser-carrier support could then remove seaplane hangars, fuel, and handling equipment from the Counties, releasing their tonnage for armor, subdivision, or anti-aircraft weapons.
Chapter · 26:11-29:52
A County-class hull offers a practical route to the cruiser carrier
Later boilers, lighter armament, and County-class proportions could create a faster Hermes successor while freeing cruisers from carrying their own seaplanes.