How Fleet Air Arm manufacturer preferences changed

Did the Fleet Air Arm have preferred aircraft manufacturers?

Yes, although the group changed: Blackburn, Fairey, and Supermarine were favoured before the war, with Hawker joining the main postwar suppliers.

The Fleet Air Arm did not rely on a single preferred manufacturer across the period. Before the war, Blackburn, Fairey, and Supermarine were the firms named in the answer. After the war, Hawker joined Supermarine, Fairey, and Blackburn in that group as the Sea Fury became a front-line benchmark. Hawker's addition matched the need for a fast postwar carrier fighter while naval jets were still maturing.