Night training and carrier landing aids extend the conditions in which British air groups can operate. The comparison credits the Royal Navy with requiring that capability across its squadrons, while describing American night qualification in 1941 as more limited. Training consumes time and money, increasing the importance of preserving aircraft and their crews. Deck parking in rough Atlantic or North Sea conditions risks losing aircraft over the side. A carrier's aircraft capacity therefore changes according to whether it is judged by Atlantic requirements or by deck parking in the Mediterranean or Pacific. The Swordfish's short take-off requirement and ability to use a catapult further widen its launch options, without making every weather condition safe.
Notable Point · 2:03:44-2:06:23
Night flying, landing aids and theatre-dependent deck parking
British carrier operating capacity depends on night training, landing aids and the weather conditions in which aircraft can remain on deck.