Q&A ยท 1:01:53-1:59:12

Fairey Spearfish and the Malta-class carriers

The Spearfish could have been useful with the Malta-class carriers, while its large dimensions made Audacious a less convincing match.

Question

Would the Fairey Spearfish have been useful, and which British carriers could operate it?

Short answer

It could have been useful with the Malta class, but its large wing made operation from Audacious doubtful.

Notes

The Fairey Spearfish is treated as a potentially useful 1944 design if the Malta-class carriers had entered service. Its size and wing arrangement would make operation from Audacious-class carriers doubtful. The Malta class offered the better match for the aircraft. The counterfactual ties aircraft utility to the deck, hangar and handling limits of the carrier intended to operate it.