Q&A ยท 56:15-58:39

An Admiral-class carrier conversion counterfactual

A Hood magazine discussion develops into a counterfactual fleet built around larger Admiral-class carrier conversions.

Question

What wider consequences might have followed from preserving Hood's magazine arrangement or converting other Admiral-class ships?

Short answer

Converting Admiral-class hulls into carriers could have produced faster carrier groups and accelerated modernization of Britain's remaining fast capital ships.

Notes

Circumstantial evidence suggests that converting the remaining Admiral-class hulls was considered instead of Courageous and Glorious, although the proposal cannot be proved conclusively here. Their greater size and speed would have made them more capable carrier conversions. Such ships could also have encouraged earlier modernization of Hood, Renown, and Repulse so the fleet retained compatible fast capital units. Joined later by Ark Royal, they might have produced several fast hunting groups for the East Indies, Home Fleet, and South Atlantic.