The counterfactual does not give the Royal Navy mature Second World War carrier technology overnight. The ships would probably have flat, straight flight decks, ordinary lifts, and perhaps a catapult rather than the later accelerator systems. Seaplane-recovery gear also remains possible. An island and purpose-designed funnels would still avoid the severe exhaust compromises of historical conversions. Small Sopwith Pups and Cuckoos with folding wings make a 90-aircraft group less implausible than the number first appears. Such a carrier would be crude by later standards but exceptionally dangerous in a First World War fleet.
Notable Point · 30:59-35:31
What an early purpose-built flight deck could get wrong
The first carriers would combine a useful island and efficient funnel arrangement with immature lifts, deck shaping, launch gear, and aircraft-handling practice.