Could Fulmars have taken part in a larger Taranto operation rather than remaining only as fighter cover?
Short answerYes. They could provide flares, bombing, and strafing support so more Swordfish were available for torpedo attacks.
NotesSome versions of the Taranto plan gave Fulmars an active role. In a two-carrier attack they could drop flares, carry a single bomb, or use their machine guns against defensive positions. Assigning those supporting jobs to fighters would allow more Swordfish to carry torpedoes. The torpedo and its shallow-water release system were the strike's decisive capability. The slow Swordfish also needed less straight-line distance for its attack run than a faster replacement, another advantage inside the confined harbour approach.