The Royal Navy considered ordering two Ark Royals from Cammell Laird, with the treaty position described as a grey area, but chose not to proceed with the second ship. One additional prewar fleet carrier could have changed British options. By contrast, Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet were all available to carry the U.S. Navy through the opening phase of its war. The comparison makes procurement quantity as important as design quality: a successful carrier concept only changes a campaign when enough hulls are ordered in time.
Notable Point · 19:27-20:23
A second Ark Royal and the Yorktown trio as force-structure choices
A contemplated second Ark Royal and the three completed Yorktown-class carriers show how treaty and procurement decisions translated directly into wartime fleet strength.