Argus, Hermes, Eagle, and Furious gave the Royal Navy several carriers in service before Lexington, Saratoga, Akagi, and Kaga arrived. By 1930 the Royal Navy had six carriers commissioned, while parts of the American and Japanese programs were still under construction. The newer American and Japanese conversions were larger and carried bigger air groups, but their later entry into service meant Britain had already spent years operating several different carrier types. Much of this experience served the cruiser-escort role the Royal Navy then needed.
Notable Point · 23:42-26:12
Royal Navy carrier numbers built early operational experience
A carrier inventory shows why the Royal Navy accumulated more practical experience in the 1920s despite smaller air groups than later American and Japanese ships.