Hermes is already in the Far East, with Ark Royal, Courageous, Glorious, and Furious the likely first British carrier reinforcements. Argus would probably remain with the Home Fleet and Eagle in the Mediterranean. Hiryū's July commissioning would still leave Japan with an air group to work up before the carrier was ready for combat. British quoted aircraft complements exclude deck parking because of North Atlantic weather and the danger of strafing aircraft left on deck. Those figures therefore leave scope for different operating arrangements in another theater. A longer war could bring British armored carriers into service, while blockade would complicate Japanese carrier construction.
Notable Point · 25:11-28:08
Which carriers could fight in the first six months?
Hermes could receive four British carrier reinforcements, while ship readiness, deck parking, and later construction complicate a simple comparison of complements.