Q&A · 1:51:27-1:52:12

Would tenders strengthen or distract from carrier aviation?

A tender program could enlarge the Fleet Air Arm and strengthen the Royal Navy's case for regaining institutional control sooner.

Question

Would a seaplane-tender program add to or distract from the Royal Navy's carrier aviation?

Short answer

It would expand shipboard flights and could help the Royal Navy regain control of the Fleet Air Arm earlier.

Notes

The proposed tenders would strengthen carrier aviation by adding shipboard flights. Those flights were among the first categories to move under full naval control. Building enough tenders to sustain them would enlarge naval aviation. That growth could reinforce the case for returning the Fleet Air Arm to the Royal Navy sooner while giving carrier aviation a larger support establishment.