'GKL' asked 'Engines': "...Engines - Is it not also the case that the original overall length was constrained by the Invincible elevator? Or is there another reason why the jet is nine feet shorter than a Shornet?"
Reading the RYBERG PDF it is made clear that CVS dimensions had little to do with ship compatibility for the F-35 (long passage about 'old ships going to be out of date' can be excerpted). Anyhoo graphics below show dimensions & wotnots.
I see 'Engines' has answered whilst this info was being gathered.
References for the graphics below:
Carrier Variant Comparison (USN)
http://www.amdo.org/JSF_Program_and_33_FW_Updates.pdf
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Welcome - Naval Postgraduate School
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F-35 Lightning II Program Status and Fast Facts 12 May 2017
https://a855196877272cb14560-2a4fa81..._may_2017_.pdf
