Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:49:03-1:50:11

Control of Vickers in 1930 links radar, guns, carriers, and fighters

A forewarned investor could use Vickers and Supermarine to accelerate several connected British naval technologies before the Second World War.

Aircraft CarriersDeck Edge LiftsNaval AviationNaval ProcurementRadarSupermarineVickers
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Question

If you could return to 1930 with knowledge of the Second World War and buy or create an arms company, what would you build?

Short answer

Buy Vickers, accelerate radar and a 16-inch gun, improve carriers with deck-edge lifts, and use Supermarine to develop naval fighters.

Notes

Vickers is the proposed choice because it offers broad influence across British armament and aviation. Priorities would include rapid radar development and a modern 16-inch gun. Carrier design would receive investment, including deck-edge lifts to improve aircraft handling and capacity. Control of Supermarine would also allow an earlier, focused Royal Navy fighter program, connecting ship design with the aircraft needed to exploit it.