Dear Zanussi,
Interesting re what you say re carriers, because it's true. The reason being that carriers, like the earlier pre-WW2 big gun battleships, are in most operational cirmumstances becoming obsolete due to changing technologies and strategy. Big ships cost big money, not only to build but - as we all know - to operate and maintain (and update). As I said before, exactly the same thing happend to the big gun fast battleships and heavy cruisers, and their demise was caused by aircraft and aircraft carriers (the Pacific War and the Battle of Midway in particular proved how effective aircraft carriers were in destroying big ships. Now the table has turned again, and aircraft carriers can be replaced by long range aircraft and helicopters carried on much smaller vessels - let alone long range ship to ship missiles etc., etc., etc.. Carriers in a theatre of war now need just as much (if not more), support craft as the big gun battleships of WW2 (anti submarine vessels and aircraft, submarine support - usually at least one but sometimes two - anti aircraft vessels with a vast array of missiles etc.). The only time carriers could be of use now is as floating bases for large land operations, however, as with any country who can keep such an item, they are cutting back naval budgets as there other cheaper alternatives to these costly items. A carrier caught flat footed these days could be dispensed with, and what a disaster that would be; thus why there is so much backup support for them. I suppose it could be said these days that submarines are the capital ships of today... a countries defence and attack capability is really based on how many of these they have, and world standing and 'prestige' is judged this way also (again similarly in many ways as battleships pre WW2). After all, one submarine these days could do more damage more quickly and cheaper, than 20 aircraft carriers and their backup fleet - and not be noticed anywhere near as much. Anyway, just observations.
Regards, Bernard2
p.s. Well done Hannah, your superb Ark Royal is coming on beautifully!!!