Illustrious air groups were limited by policy and lift layout

The Illustrious hangar was not exceptionally small when compared with Enterprise; British policy simply kept fewer aircraft permanently on deck. Adoption of deck parks in 1944-45 raised complements and exposed how much capacity operating practice had withheld. A 24,000-ton design with armored shutters at deck-edge lifts could preserve the protected hangar while freeing the centerline openings for aircraft stowage. That arrangement might have raised a typical group from roughly 36 to 48 aircraft and made later, larger aircraft easier to handle.