How would an equivalent Royal Navy carrier fleet fare at Midway?
Short answerIt would defend well by day and threaten a devastating night strike, but its available 1942 aircraft would make daylight attack ineffective.
NotesMediterranean experience and armored carriers would improve the force's ability to absorb and resist daylight air attack. During the day, the British carriers would have to emphasize fighter defence rather than match the American strike pattern. Their best offensive option would be a night attack, an area in which the Royal Navy possessed substantial experience. The later Implacable class and Ark Royal could have supplied a larger and better-balanced air group, but those ships were not available at Midway. Sending contemporary aircraft such as the Albacore against the Japanese fleet in daylight would offer little effective striking power.