Historically HMS Unicorn helped lead toward the light fleet carrier programme, but the alternate navy already possesses a practiced smaller-carrier design. A depot or maintenance variant could therefore use the scout-carrier hull, while larger fleet carriers combine Ark Royal's air group with Illustrious-style protection. That may remove the exact historical reason for Unicorn or produce a different support carrier with similar functions. The wartime rapid-construction lineage consequently begins from proven scout-carrier plans rather than needing to rediscover a smaller aviation ship under emergency conditions.
Notable Point · 1:53:31-1:59:39
How scout carriers change the path to Unicorn
A mature 12,000-ton scout-carrier hull could replace Unicorn's depot-carrier role or provide an alternative starting point for wartime light fleet carriers.