After operating mixed Fairey, Blackburn, and Hawker aircraft, Eagle received cross-deck arresting gear and additional pom-poms and machine guns during a mid-1930s refit. Magazine capacity, ventilation, and insulation were also improved in response to overseas experience. She returned to the Far East in 1937 with Fairey Swordfish units and reached Singapore for another refit just as the Second World War began. Modernization remained a continuous process as the aging conversion absorbed new aircraft, landing systems, defences, and lessons from overseas service.
Chapter · 53:27-57:57
Swordfish, cross-deck wires, and Eagle's last prewar refits
Eagle's later interwar changes added cross-deck arresting gear, heavier anti-aircraft defenses, improved magazines and ventilation, and Fairey Swordfish squadrons.