The sting was in the tail of the requirement: This must be achieved on the same displacement. This delay provided an opportunity for the requirement which would produce Implacable and Indefatigable to be applied to one of the existing build orders. Work on Indomitable had been delayed an estimated eight months due to delays in the production of armour plate in Czechoslovakia.īritain’s own armour manufacturers, seriously depleted after the 1920s economic crisis, were simply unable to meet demand as the nation expanded production in preparation for war.
But, shortly after work began in 1937, the doubts that had been afflicting the Admiralty about the size of the type’s air group finally spurred action.Ī new requirement was issued: The ideal aircraft complement would now be 48. HMS Indomitable was the fourth ship of the Illustrious class to be laid down.
