Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 19:09-19:51

Could Implacable replace the costly Victorious rebuild?

Better hull condition and hangar space made the Implacable class plausible conversion candidates, although a modern air group would remain difficult to accommodate.

Aircraft CarriersCarrier ModernisationHMS VictoriousImplacable Class Aircraft CarriersRoyal Navy
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Question

Could Implacable and Indefatigable have supported a modern air force if fully rebuilt instead of Victorious?

Short answer

They were better conversion candidates than Victorious, but modern aircraft operations would still have been cramped and difficult.

Notes

Skipping the Victorious reconstruction could have redirected money toward Implacable and Indefatigable, whose hulls were in better condition and offered somewhat more hangar room. Even so, accommodating a modern air group would have remained a tight and difficult conversion.