What aircraft might a British carrier have brought with Force Z if carrier construction had not been paused?
Short answerA roughly 48- to 60-aircraft group could combine about 24 Albacores with Fulmars and Sea Hurricanes, supplying reconnaissance and enough fighters for fleet defense.
NotesAn Indomitable-type carrier in this scenario might operate roughly 48 to 60 aircraft. About 24 could be torpedo-strike and reconnaissance aircraft, probably Albacores, with the remainder divided between Fulmars and Sea Hurricanes. The Fulmars could share reconnaissance duties while both fighter types contributed to fleet defense. Even an illustrative mix of 18 Fulmars and 18 Sea Hurricanes would exceed the minimum fighter strength Andrew Cunningham considered necessary for a carrier air group. The fleet would gain a coherent reconnaissance and air-defense system that the historical Force Z lacked, even though its aircraft were not all first-rate.