Forming the RAF could make sense for the substantial land-based air forces supplied by the Royal Naval Air Service. Shipboard aircraft still had to operate within a naval organization. A proposed alternative would have transferred other aviation, including heavy bombers, while retaining shipboard aircraft in a Fleet Air Arm. The comparison with the Royal Marines questions why the Navy retained troops for operations ashore but lost command of aircraft operating from its ships. Dividing control of shipboard aviation created additional organizational complexity for the fleet.
Notable Point · 47:30-48:47
Keeping shipboard aviation under naval command
A proposed alternative to the RAF merger would retain shipboard aircraft under naval control, using the Royal Marines as a comparison.