Hermes gives the Royal Navy early carrier depth

Hermes was the first ship laid down as an aircraft carrier and already had a recognizably modern island-and-flight-deck arrangement. On her way to the China Station in 1924, she called at Honolulu, placing British carrier operations far beyond home waters. At about 10,850 tons and 25 knots, she carried six 5.5-inch guns, three 4-inch guns, and roughly 15 aircraft. At that point the Royal Navy could distribute about 51 aircraft among Argus, Eagle, and Hermes, while the US Navy's 30 carrier aircraft were concentrated in Langley. Hermes usually operated three flights built around fighters, reconnaissance aircraft, and either spotting or torpedo aircraft, an early attempt to balance carrier missions.