Why did the Royal Navy build only one HMS Unicorn-style aircraft support ship?
Short answerUnicorn was an experimental first step, and her support role was subsequently carried into light fleet carriers such as Pioneer and Perseus.
NotesUnicorn was an experimental step rather than an abandoned dead end. The Royal Navy first needed to build and operate one dedicated aircraft-support carrier before deciding how the concept should develop. The later light fleet carrier design closely resembled Unicorn, and ships such as Pioneer and Perseus could perform the support role. Rather than ordering several identical Unicorns immediately, the navy folded her maintenance and replenishment functions into a more adaptable carrier family.