Royal Navy carrier strength before the Second World War

Was Japan uniquely farsighted about aircraft carriers while the Royal Navy remained dominated by battleship-minded admirals?

No. The Royal Navy led carrier numbers in the 1920s, and wartime disruption, rather than indifference to carriers, damaged development of its next generation of naval aircraft.

A viewer contrasts Japanese carrier foresight with supposedly battleship-bound Royal Navy admirals. The reply points to British carrier numbers in the 1920s and argues that the early start of war redirected development effort, preventing the next generation of Fleet Air Arm aircraft from maturing normally. The Fulmar entered production without the sustained development cycle it might otherwise have received. The Swordfish is the exception: its unusual utility would probably have kept it in service regardless.