CAM ships carried a single catapult-launched Sea Hurricane whose pilot had to ditch after the sortie, making convoy commanders reluctant to spend the aircraft too early. Most CAM fighters were flown by RAF pilots, with some Fleet Air Arm participation; deck-landing experience was unnecessary because the aircraft could not return to the ship. MAC ships retained merchant ownership and merchant crews while naval personnel maintained and flew their Swordfish anti-submarine aircraft, whereas escort carriers were commissioned warships converted from or built on merchant hulls. Tanker and grain-carrier conversions kept carrying cargo, but their deck and storage arrangements determined whether they could operate three or four Swordfish. Their short decks were unsuitable for higher-performance fighters, which kept the MAC role focused on anti-submarine patrols. The comparison shows how limited deck space, aircraft performance, crew arrangements, and merchant cargo needs shaped each solution.
Chapter · 7:54-9:36
CAM ships, MAC ships, and escort carriers
The review distinguishes catapult ships with single-use fighters, merchant aircraft carriers, and commissioned escort carriers as different answers to convoy air cover.