At Liverpool, Eagle exchanged her .50-calibre machine guns for twelve 20 mm Oerlikons arranged along both sides of the flight deck. Splinter shields improved protection for the crews of the 4-inch anti-aircraft guns, while the high-angle control system moved forward and received Type 285 gunnery radar. Type 290 air-warning radar gave the carrier a wider sensor layer before aircraft reached the close-range weapons. The refit also reduced ship-fuel capacity while increasing aviation-petrol storage. Her quoted cruising range fell from 4,800 nautical miles at 16 knots to 2,700 nautical miles at 17.5 knots. The elderly conversion was being rebalanced around air operations, early warning, and close defence at the expense of endurance.
Chapter · 1:12:49-1:14:16
Radar and close-range air defence reshape Eagle's final refit
The 1941-42 Liverpool refit replaced Eagle's .50-calibre machine guns with twelve Oerlikons, added Type 285 and Type 290 radar, and traded ship-fuel endurance for more aviation fuel.