Centaurs instead of Illustrious/Implacables

[Admiral Beez]

Hermes Flight Deck was 732ft long and hangar was 381 x 62ft. Max speed was ~28.5 knots.
Illustrious FD was ~745ft (after refits) and hangar was 456 x 63ft. Max speed was ~31 knots (new trials)
Indomitable FD was ~745ft (after refits) and hangars were 416 x 62ft and 208 x 62ft. Max speed was ~30.5 knots (new trials)

Illustrious would surely have a larger aircraft complement with either hangar parking only or hangar/FD parking.

My opening post was for lengthened, slightly faster Centaurs. I was seeking a fast, single-hangar British carrier without an AFD, so I had to start with Centaur. I suppose it makes sense that every British fast fleet until the Audacious had either two full hangars or an armoured flight deck. The Audacious of course combined both - an ideal opponent for IJNS Taiho and her intended successors.

I fully agree with you that the Centaurs as built would be more limited than even the Illustrious. My thinking was that without the AFD the RN and FAA might have altered their aircraft and tactics, such as introducing deck parking, weather permitting.

 

[RCAFson]

My opening post was for lengthened, slightly faster Centaurs. I was seeking a fast, single-hangar British carrier without an AFD, so I had to start with Centaur. I suppose it makes sense that every British fast fleet until the Audacious had either two full hangars or an armoured flight deck. The Audacious of course combined both - an ideal opponent for IJNS Taiho and her intended successors.

I fully agree with you that the Centaurs as built would be more limited than even the Illustrious. My thinking was that without the AFD the FN and FAA might have altered their aircraft and tactics, such as introducing deck parking, weather permitting.

My preference for an alternate carrier design would be Ark Royal (1938) with two larger lifts and omit the centre lift. Ark Royal had 16ft hangar heights, but that could be changes to 17.5ft/14.5ft for greater flexibility. Alternately, a stretched Unicorn design with the same hangars but a longer hull and 4 shaft machinery.

Ark Royal and CV-6 (Enterprise) actually had about the same displacement, after CV-6 was blistered and extra AA added.

It interesting to speculate about Illustrious without round downs, a full 745ft flight deck and a deck park from the beginning. She could have easily supported ~45-55 early war aircraft, ncluding two full squadrons of fighters whilst operating in the MTO...had the aircraft been available.

 

[Admiral Beez]

My preference for an alternate carrier design would be Ark Royal (1938) with two larger lifts and omit the centre lift. Ark Royal had 16ft hangar heights, but that could be changes to 17.5ft/14.5ft for greater flexibility. Alternately, a stretched Unicorn design with the same hangars but a longer hull and 4 shaft machinery.

A trio of Ark Royal class as you describe would be the ultimate RN CBG out of Ceylon/Singapore.