I have changed my mind about the 1944 Programme. Now I want to lay down 2 additional Audacious class carriers in 1944 instead of the 4 Centaurs. On paper the specification for the Audacious at that time is almost exactly the same as 2 Centaurs, in displacement, machinery and gun armament. It might save money because Eagle cost £15 million to build and Ark Royal £21 million, but the first 3 Centaurs cost about £10 million each and Hermes cost £37 million (making the £20 million spent on rebuilding Victorious look like a bargain).
It won't effect the war, but it will give the Royal Navy a much better fleet in the 1950s and 1960s. However, more and better ships require larger crews and the Treasury will find it hard to find the money to pay their wages.
Vanguard is completed in 1946 to Standard D. She is refitted to Standard A 1950-58 instead of rebuilding Victorious.
Eagle is completed in 1951 to Standard D. In common with the real world she is brought up to Standard C in time for the Suez War and was refitted to Standard A 1959-64, but Action Data Automation (ADA) was fitted instead of the CDS.
Ark Royal is completed in 1955 to Standard C and her refit in the late 1960s brought her up to Standard B.
The 1944 Fleet Carrier swaps names with the 1942 Carrier. She is suspended 1946-51 when it is decided to complete her with the money used to finish the Tiger class in the real world. Work does not actually begin until 1954 and Audacious is completed in 1959 to Standard A.
Irresistible, the fleet carrier laid down in 1944 instead of Centaur and Albion is completed in 1953 to Standard D. She is refitted to Standard A in the first half of the 1960s and in common with Eagle receives ADA instead of the CDS.
Africa, the fleet carrier laid down in 1944 instead of Bulwark and Hermes is completed in 1959 to Standard A.
Therefore the Royal Navy has 3 Standard A fleet carriers (Africa, Audacious and Vanguard) and one Standard C ship (Ark Royal) in service at the end of 1960 with the other 2 (Eagle and Irresistible) being refitted to Standard A. At the end of 1965 the Royal Nay has 4 Standard A ships in commission (Audacious, Eagle Irresistible and Vanguard) with Ark Royal and Africa refitting.
Standard A ships had steam catapults and fully angled flight decks. They also have the Type 984 radar, the Comprehensive Display System (CDS) and DPT.
Standard B ships were the same as Standard A, except they didn't have the Type 984 radar, CDS or DPT.
Standard C ships were the same as Standard B, except they had an interim angled flight deck instead of a fully angled one.
Standard D ships were the same as Standard C, except they had hydraulic catapults instead of steam catapults.
Standard A and B ships could operate aircraft in the Sea Vixen and Buccaneer class. That is except for Ark Royal, which could also operate the Phantom.
Standard C and D ships could operate aircraft in the Sea Venom, Sea Hawk and Gannet class.
However, in this version of history the British develop a heavy fighter in the Phantom class in the 1950s in place of the Lighting and Sea Vixen. Therefore the Standard A and B ships have steam catapults and arrester gear strong enough to operate it.