Earlier Vanguard construction could create a requirement for another carrier able to accompany the faster surface forces. British carrier roles included scouting and reconnaissance, accompanying moving fleet formations, and strike operations. Older carriers would struggle to keep pace with the additional fast ships. One possible response is another Illustrious-class carrier on Formidable's pattern; another is an earlier Implacable. Under that counterfactual, Force Z might arrive in the Far East with a carrier as well as its capital ships, changing its ability to find an opponent and defend itself from aircraft.
Notable Point · 1:46:50-1:49:14
A faster battle line would pull carrier construction forward
Early Vanguards would create demand for carriers able to scout for, protect, and keep pace with faster surface formations.