A fast carrier with a large strike air group

The notional ship draws on early British carrier practice: a cruiser-derived Hermes idea, an Eagle-style arrangement, and the much larger Courageous-class hull. Fisher's desired ship is fast, large, and built to find, fix, and strike targets with aircraft. A 72-plane group could assign 24 aircraft to sustained reconnaissance and retain the rest for massed torpedo attack. One option is a single two-seat type for reconnaissance and torpedo work, although the later sketch separates fighter and strike squadrons. The absence of a serious German fighter threat in 1914-15 makes this strike-heavy balance more plausible than it would be later. A larger 90-aircraft group remains possible with light gun armament, reduced armor needs, and a purpose-built carrier layout.