Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:44:46-1:47:14

What G3 conversions might have changed for British carriers

Converting G3 hulls into carriers could have given the Royal Navy larger armored flight decks and a stronger pre-war carrier force.

Aircraft CarriersG3 Class BattlecruisersNaval TreatiesRoyal Navy
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Question

Could G3 battlecruisers have been converted into better carriers than Courageous and Glorious?

Short answer

Yes; their size might have combined stronger protection with a larger air group and improved Britain's early-war carrier strength.

Notes

G3 carrier conversions could have been larger and more capable than Courageous and Glorious if financial policy allowed them. A displacement around 30,000 tons could have supported armor comparable to Illustrious. The same hull might also have carried an air group closer to Ark Royal's. Continued construction on that basis could have given the Royal Navy several more modern carriers at the opening of the Second World War.