Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:05:01-1:05:32

How the Royal Navy planned to replace its old carriers

The Illustrious class, not light carriers, was intended to replace the old fleet in a sequence beginning with Argus and Hermes.

Aircraft CarriersFleet PlanningIllustrious Class Aircraft CarriersNaval ProcurementRoyal Navy
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Question

Was the Royal Navy planning to replace Eagle and Hermes with light fleet carriers before the war?

Short answer

No. The Illustrious class was intended to replace the older carriers as the fleet built toward about eight ships.

Notes

The answer places the sisters inside a wider pre-war force plan. Argus and Hermes were expected to leave first, followed by Furious, Eagle, Courageous, and Glorious as new fleet carriers arrived. The intended endpoint was a force of about eight carriers. Survival in war would therefore postpone retirement because losses and demand overtook the orderly treaty-era replacement schedule.