Q&A · 2:05:03-2:06:23

A G3 carrier could operate roughly 96 aircraft

An air-group estimate links a G3 conversion's hangar arrangement to Fleet Air Arm squadron organization.

Question

How many aircraft would a G3 carrier conversion carry, and would it use a double hangar?

Short answer

A single hangar could carry about 96 aircraft, with a notional mix of fighters, dive bombers, and a larger torpedo-reconnaissance component.

Notes

British accounting would exclude deck parking and aircraft stored overhead, while allocating more space to maintenance than some foreign designs. A group of about 96 could encourage larger 24-aircraft squadrons instead of the smaller formations the Fleet Air Arm historically used.