The P.139B was Britain's planned fixed-wing airborne-early-warning aircraft for the CVA-01 era. The broader P.139 study included many configurations, while this discussion focuses on the B variant as the most likely radar-carrying form. Its broad fuselage and large sensor installation made it visually unusual because the airframe was organized around radar coverage and an onboard operator crew rather than fighter performance. A Royal Navy retaining Malta-sized decks might have had more reason to carry this large domestic design instead of defaulting to the Hawkeye. The aircraft's shape followed its mission equipment and the size of the carrier available to operate it.
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The Hawker Siddeley P.139B carrier AEW concept
The proposed P.139B shows the scale and unusual shape required to place a powerful British AEW radar aboard a carrier aircraft.