Fascenating reading of Norman Friedmans British Carrier aviation.
Seems the RN in 1952 had requirements for a air group of 80 aircraft.
24 Interceptors
24 Fighter All Weather
12 Strike
12 ASW
8 AEW
The 1952 CV effort could certainly handle half this figure. DNC reckons the ship would be limited to around 50 aircraft which mates with the 41 aircraft plus 2 SAR. Indeed its likely the figure would fall to:-
12 Interceptors
12 FAW
12 S
8 ASW
4 AEW
2 SAR
But my reference from DK Brown is
33 Fighters
12 Strike
8 ASW
Interesting to note that the Medium fleet CV effort of 53-56 has 47 aircraft cutting strike to just 9 aircraft but otherwise having a similar airwing to the 1952 CV.
Seems the periode 1956 to 1958 is that of the 45,000ton Guided Weapon Carrier, a mixed CV and missile armed ship likely the product of Mountbattens influence as per the County class Destroyers. Its possible the 30,000ton ship refered to is the standard tonnage or the early estimate of this ship. This would be armed with either Bloodhound or Blue Envoy SAMs.
Another note is that in Feb 1957 Controller Air concludes that SAMs wont cut it and the RN needs something like the Saro P.177
1958 seems the RN planned on a Carrier Air Group of 40-42 aircraft.
12-14 Strike/recce
18 Fighters for continious CAP
8 AEW
2 SAR helicopters
ASW seems to be moved to FFRS (Fast fleet replenishment ship) which transmuted into the Command Cruiser.
by 1960 studies showed a very different set of requirements
18 close range support aircraft
15 long range strike for continuous
30 counter air
12 recce and support aircraft
32 fighters
this figure divided by two for a CAG, then add 4 AEW and 2 SAR for each CV.
In 1963 CVA-01 was to operate in the interim some 36 fast jets, 18 Sea Vixens, and 18 Buccaneers. Plus 4 AEW and 2 SAR.
By 1965 its 12 Phantoms and 24 Strike Buccaneers.
Seems the RN in 1952 had requirements for a air group of 80 aircraft.
24 Interceptors
24 Fighter All Weather
12 Strike
12 ASW
8 AEW
The 1952 CV effort could certainly handle half this figure. DNC reckons the ship would be limited to around 50 aircraft which mates with the 41 aircraft plus 2 SAR. Indeed its likely the figure would fall to:-
12 Interceptors
12 FAW
12 S
8 ASW
4 AEW
2 SAR
But my reference from DK Brown is
33 Fighters
12 Strike
8 ASW
Interesting to note that the Medium fleet CV effort of 53-56 has 47 aircraft cutting strike to just 9 aircraft but otherwise having a similar airwing to the 1952 CV.
Seems the periode 1956 to 1958 is that of the 45,000ton Guided Weapon Carrier, a mixed CV and missile armed ship likely the product of Mountbattens influence as per the County class Destroyers. Its possible the 30,000ton ship refered to is the standard tonnage or the early estimate of this ship. This would be armed with either Bloodhound or Blue Envoy SAMs.
Another note is that in Feb 1957 Controller Air concludes that SAMs wont cut it and the RN needs something like the Saro P.177
1958 seems the RN planned on a Carrier Air Group of 40-42 aircraft.
12-14 Strike/recce
18 Fighters for continious CAP
8 AEW
2 SAR helicopters
ASW seems to be moved to FFRS (Fast fleet replenishment ship) which transmuted into the Command Cruiser.
by 1960 studies showed a very different set of requirements
18 close range support aircraft
15 long range strike for continuous
30 counter air
12 recce and support aircraft
32 fighters
this figure divided by two for a CAG, then add 4 AEW and 2 SAR for each CV.
In 1963 CVA-01 was to operate in the interim some 36 fast jets, 18 Sea Vixens, and 18 Buccaneers. Plus 4 AEW and 2 SAR.
By 1965 its 12 Phantoms and 24 Strike Buccaneers.
