ABSTRACT

The British maritime air power story of the 1960s has been referred to by many. Still, due to its complexity and previous lack of archival sources it has only been partially researched and understood. The British maritime air power debate of the 1960s was principally on the conceptual question about land-based air power versus carrier aviation, but it is also a fascinating story of deep-ranging inter-service rivalry and how the military services and the rivalry managed to influence British policy-making. The British maritime air power debate of the 1960s is perhaps the most comprehensive and pictorial case study for the greater question of land-based versus sea-based air power. The story originated in the late 1950s, when the Royal Navy wanted to modernise its carrier fleet. The controversial debate on maritime air power and 'inter-service rivalry' of the 1960s was, and still is, an important part of Royal Air Force and Royal Navy history.