While the Argentinians had ordered the L'Argentina class battleship, the Brazilians replied with a new class of aircraft carrier instead. The Santa Catarina was supposed to have a sistership to be completed in 1941 but with the out break of war the ship was cancelled and replaced with more light vessels (destroyers and escorts). The order was already under construction and completed for the Royal Navy as HMS St George. (see HMS Ark Royal)
The ship arrived in Brazilian waters just in time to take part in the retaking of the Falkland Islands operations. The ships latest aircraft group of Hurricanes, Skuas and SeaBattles gave the ship as good aircraft as any of the other ships of the Allied Fleet.
The Santa Catarina differed from the UK versions (Ark Royal and Golden Hind) by having less armour and engine power and thus slightly less displacements. Aircraft capacity and other ordnance was the same.
