British operating demands favour carrier survivability and endurance for service far from industrial support, including the Mediterranean and Far East. American Pacific operations begin closer to major industrial centres, allowing more weight for a larger air group and less armour. The later Midway, Audacious and Malta concepts show that both navies sought armour and larger air groups once displacement and wartime construction constraints eased. The carrier example ties design choices to expected operating conditions and available tonnage.
Notable Point · 6:07-8:40
Why geography changes the armour-aircraft trade-off
The carrier comparison explains why British and American naval designs can make different compromises without either choice being irrational.