So no possible way for the maltas to be laid down pre 1942?
What would be the driver? The Implacable design was only signed off in late 38/early 39. I would assume even at best and you somehow jumped to the Malta design that you'd have to wait for the docks to become available, H&W was the first in '42, are there any other's that could be used first?
And again how do you get the RN to jump from the Implacables to the Malta's within that timeframe?