Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:31:57-1:32:46

Royal Navy development if war begins in 1941

A delayed-war scenario traces the compounding effect of two extra peacetime years on ships, aircraft, and institutions.

Fleet Air ArmImplacable Class Aircraft CarriersNaval AviationRoyal NavyWorld War II
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Question

What additional Royal Navy programs might mature if war were delayed until 1941?

Short answer

Alongside more completed ships, the Fleet Air Arm could field newer fighters and Barracudas, operate Implacable-class carriers, and entrench its control over naval aviation.

Notes

The answer is not limited to completing King George V-class battleships and escorts already in the pipeline. More time under Admiralty control would strengthen the Fleet Air Arm as an institution while newer carrier aircraft and the successors to Implacable moved closer to service.