A two-carrier plan for Taranto

The counterfactual draws on known planning for Eagle and an earlier Glorious concept. The model combines the carriers' Swordfish with Fulmars and Sea Gladiators, then assigns three waves of torpedo aircraft, bombers, and flare-dropping fighters. The flares were intended to illuminate targets and hinder anti-aircraft gunners, while the bombers would start fires and disrupt the defence. Harpoon and dice-based test runs produce illustrative hit allocations, not a prediction. The exact number of successful sorties remains uncertain. The larger force also provides more tactical options and redundancy than a simple aircraft total conveys.