Why aircraft and carrier design must match

How did carrier structure and equipment constrain naval aircraft development?

Lifts, launch and recovery systems, hangars, and the Navy's need for long-range observers had to evolve together with the aircraft.

A carrier cannot simply adopt the newest aircraft if its lifts and flight-deck equipment cannot handle them. Early arresting arrangements first addressed very light aircraft being blown sideways across the deck, rather than slowing them after touchdown. Long-range work created a separate personnel requirement. Two-seat naval aircraft gave Royal Navy observers practical control of reconnaissance and navigation while the RAF still supplied the pilots.