Q&A · 56:56-57:14

Why Victorious led the carrier modernization programme

Victorious was intended as an easier first conversion whose lessons would guide modernisation of the other carriers.

Aircraft Carriers Angled Flight Decks HMS Victorious Implacable Class Aircraft Carriers Naval Modernisation

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Question

Why was Victorious chosen to lead the angled-deck modernization instead of an Implacable-class carrier?

Short answer

Victorious was expected to be the easier, faster example, with lessons from her conversion intended for the rest.

Notes

Victorious was selected because her conversion was expected to be easier and quicker. The navy intended to learn from that work before applying the lessons to other carriers, so the final outcome should not be read as the original limit of the plan.