How large an air group could HMS Unicorn operate?

A later rough estimate gives Unicorn roughly thirty-six operational aircraft, initially divided between fighters and strike aircraft and later represented largely by strike-capable fighters such as Seafires.

Question

How large was HMS Unicorn's operational fighter force?

Short answer

A rough later estimate gives eighteen fighters plus eighteen strike aircraft, or about thirty-six fighters once types such as the Seafire could cover both roles.

Notes

Unicorn could carry a working air group close to carrier size despite her support designation. A rough typical division is given as eighteen fighters and eighteen strike aircraft. Once fighters could perform the strike role as well, the estimate becomes about thirty-six fighters, usually Seafires. These live figures are approximate and sit alongside the earlier nominal figure of about thirty-three assembled aircraft. Either estimate helps explain why the ship's official auxiliary classification could diverge so sharply from what viewers see on screen.