The British Empire possessed a global network of bases and trade routes, yet coverage was especially weak in the high North Atlantic. Critical sea lanes also crossed regions where suitable airfield land and support infrastructure were sparse. An airfield required surveyed land, fuel, hangars, mechanics, supplies, and continuing investment while aircraft technology kept changing. By the mid-1930s, the possibility of war against Germany, Italy, and Japan exposed shortages of construction crews as well as aircraft, so a crash program could not instantly create worldwide coverage.
Chapter · 2:03-5:52
Global trade routes met an infrastructure bottleneck
Britain's worldwide sea lanes required air coverage, but suitable land, construction capacity, and sustained support were all scarce.