Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:27:12-1:27:38

Scrapping Eagle early could free tonnage for a second Ark Royal

Treaty tonnage released by Eagle could plausibly support another Ark Royal-scale fleet carrier before the Second World War.

Aircraft CarriersHMS Ark RoyalHMS EagleNaval TreatiesRoyal Navy
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Question

What could Britain build with the carrier tonnage freed by scrapping Eagle in 1926?

Short answer

Probably a second Ark Royal-scale carrier, adding another large fleet carrier for the Second World War.

Notes

The counterfactual converts an old carrier's treaty allocation into a modern purpose-built hull. Eagle's tonnage appears large enough to support another Ark Royal-scale ship. That second carrier would enter the Royal Navy's wartime force as a large, modern fleet unit. It would also reduce the fleet's dependence on older conversions and single-ship availability.