An escort carrier in an Arctic convoy usually concentrated on Swordfish patrols, but it might carry about six Hellcats for interception. Radar warning from the carrier or anti-aircraft cruisers could halt routine flying and bring the convoy into close air-defence formation. PQ 18 placed more merchant ships on the southern, enemy-facing side, and the plotted losses fell mainly in those exposed columns. Avenger was safest in her northern protected position while still contributing more air defence than any single merchant ship. Ship positioning, fighter numbers, and radar warning distributed risk around the convoy's most valuable aviation asset.
Notable Point · 58:47-1:00:09
PQ 18 shields Avenger inside its air-defence formation
PQ 18 placed Avenger in the safer northern air-defence position while fighters, radar warning, and an asymmetric convoy layout absorbed the southern threat.