Royal Navy floatplanes extend global sea control

The Royal Navy expected carriers to provide reconnaissance for concentrated fleets in high-threat areas. Cruiser floatplanes were more useful in low- and medium-threat waters where ships conducted sea-control missions without carrier support. They searched for enemy surface raiders and merchant shipping, extending the reach of cruisers that could also intercept Axis commerce themselves. The rapid capture of Axis merchant shipping in 1939-42 furnished a German vessel for conversion into an early escort carrier. Even the interwar aspiration for 70 cruisers could not cover the Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and Mediterranean with every ship operating in company. Falling short of that cruiser goal also helped drive the construction of Tribal-class destroyers. Many cruisers had to patrol alone and make their own local reconnaissance. Embarked aircraft magnified the reach of each hull, although recovery still conflicted with the Royal Navy's strong preference for continuous movement and zigzagging.