How many aerial torpedoes did a Royal Navy carrier carry relative to its torpedo aircraft?
Short answerIllustrious was designed for about forty-five torpedoes, enough to arm its normal Swordfish group for roughly two or three mixed strikes.
NotesIllustrious had a designed capacity of forty-five 18-inch torpedo propulsion bodies, with warheads stored separately under armoured protection. Against a normal twenty-four-Swordfish complement, and with only part of each strike carrying torpedoes, that represented roughly two or three attack loads. Separate storage supported safety and maintenance, while extra warheads allowed suspect components to be replaced. Crews tested the duplex pistols and calibrated the magnetic pistols before use. The answer reveals the magazine work and replenishment infrastructure behind a carrier's ability to sustain repeated offensive operations.