Which late-war carrier aircraft would make the greatest difference if available at the start of the Second World War?
Short answerThe Hawker Sea Fury offers carrier compatibility, 400-knot speed, four 20 mm cannon, rockets, bomb load, and long range.
NotesThe Swordfish already met early-war needs, while an earlier Avenger would mainly replace the troubled Albacore. The Firebrand offers heavy armament and a torpedo capability, but the Sea Fury combines exceptional fighter performance with a naval airframe that can fit contemporary carriers. If the type entered production in 1939, the RAF could also use the same aircraft from land bases instead of requiring a separate land Fury. A later comparison notes that the de Havilland Hornet would be harder to accommodate on the carriers available in 1939, making physical compatibility part of the choice. The Sea Fury's speed, four 20 mm cannon, rockets, bomb load, and range would transform both fleet air defense and offensive operations from Norway to the Mediterranean.