RN carriers and aircraft: Old Chestnut

[uk 75]

Having just finished Decline of British Seapower by Desmond Wettern, I think I now understand why the UK screwed up its carrier force in the 1960s.

In order to operate a worthwhile force, at least three carriers were needed in the 70s.  However, Victorious would be out by 1970, only one of Ark Royal/Eagle could be refitted and operated economically, and only Hermes was expected to be viable into the late 70s.  However, Hermes could not operate the Phantom, which was the only available supersonic carrier fighter.  The reality of CVA 01 plus only Ark or Eagle (CVA 02 could only arrive after 1975 at the earliest) meant only 2 carriers.
3 were considered the bare minimum( the Navy would have preferred 5-6!).

Clearly, the decisions taken in the early Post War period to cancel the Malta class and build only 2 new large carriers were short sighted. However, by 1964 they could not be reversed.

The HS 1154 might have offered a way out, but all evidence suggests that it would have been an expensive and complicated plane. The F8 Crusader was unacceptable as a single seat single engined fighter.  Any drawing board alternatives were years away.

Sadly, the 1966 decision would have happened whatever the Government. Let us hope that history does not repeat itself with CVF and the JSF.

UK 75

[simmie]

The cabinet meeting at which the decision to cancel CVA-01 was a fix up.

The Minister of State for the Navy was not allow to attemd, nor was the 1st Sea Lord!!

Denise Heally used costing and a slide presentation that had been prepared by the RAF.  this statsed that the Navy wanted 2 carriers and 8 escort cruisers immediately.  Not the 1 and 4 they were actually asking for.