The later Colossus class shows how much capability fits near the proposed treaty limit: 13,200 tons, 40,000 shaft horsepower, 25 knots, long range, and as many as fifty-two aircraft. Britain could choose approximately 12,800-ton ships so that its allowance produces twelve hulls rather than ten. The scenario's arithmetic assigns pairs to six station groups, although the spoken destination list appears to name seven locations. Extra length and more efficient design could double the air group of the original Hermes without demanding more power or beam.
Chapter · 1:00:35-1:05:22
A twelve-ship force approaches Colossus-class capability
A 12,800-ton successor to Hermes could carry roughly forty aircraft; the proposed twelve-ship force uses six-group arithmetic despite an audible list of seven destinations.