Moving experimental ships such as Argus and Hermes out of the active fleet-carrier allowance creates room for a different British building programme. Argus is discussed as moving toward a Queen Bee target-drone role, while Furious's repeated reconstructions make her another possible replacement candidate. Ark Royal might then be ordered as a pair and grow from her historical 22,000 tons toward 25,000 or even 27,000 tons. The enlarged design could receive stronger torpedo protection and more armor. Earlier small-carrier experiments might also make deck-edge lifts and an armored flight deck available. Using the flight deck as the hull's strength deck is proposed as a way to save weight and make better use of hull space. The resulting Ark Royal would differ from the historical ship, but the final size and fittings remain speculative.
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Light carriers could release tonnage for a larger Ark Royal
Removing older experimental carriers and developing separate light carriers could let Britain order larger Ark Royals with stronger protection and revised deck arrangements.