Building the Courageous class as carriers from the outset

In this counterfactual, an already worked-out Hermes design supplies the starting point for building Courageous, Glorious, and Furious as larger, faster aircraft carriers. Available armour plate and elevator machinery are treated as manageable construction requirements. Omitting the 15-inch and 18-inch guns, their turrets, and the associated decisions could remove important delays. The proposed hull resembles a large light cruiser with a hangar, flight deck, elevators, and island above it. Armour remains at cruiser deck level, since an armoured flight deck is outside this design. That arrangement supports the suggestion that building these ships as carriers could be quicker than completing them with heavy guns.