Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:55:56-1:57:23

Malta-class deck strength and postwar longevity

Malta's strong flight deck and Midway-like scale could support heavier aircraft and make the class easier to modernise than Audacious.

Aircraft CarriersE-2 HawkeyeMalta Class Aircraft CarriersPostwar NaviesRoyal Navy
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Question

Would a Malta-class carrier completed after the Second World War have lasted longer than Ark Royal?

Short answer

Probably yes; Malta's size and strong flight deck would make heavy-aircraft operation and long-term modernisation more practical.

Notes

The answer treats Malta as easier to modernise than the Audacious-class ships and broadly comparable to Midway in long-term utility. Its strong flight-deck structure could accept heavier aircraft than the historical British carriers. That strength would make acquisition of an airborne-early-warning aircraft such as Hawkeye more plausible. At least two and preferably three hulls would be needed to turn that technical potential into a sustainable service capability.