The basic armament and treaty setting remain, but machinery savings relieve the design conflict between armor and aviation volume. The Royal Navy wanted a taller hangar and more aircraft but had to fit six carriers within a cumulative treaty-tonnage allowance. A smaller plant could lower the machinery footprint while leaving more length and internal volume for aviation facilities. A slightly longer ship and taller hangar fit the historical design priorities better than deck-edge lifts or deck parking practices that the service rejected. Interwar losses of aircraft from decks in the North Sea and Atlantic helped explain that reluctance.
Notable Point · 36:23-39:03
What turbine weight savings could do for Illustrious
A lighter propulsion plant could preserve armored protection while raising hangar height, hull length, and aircraft capacity.