In 1960 the French Navy operated two old carriers, a third converted
to naval supply duties.
The two operational carriers were the La Fayette and the Arromanches.
La Fayette
Type: Light aircraft carrier (originally built as cruiser, but completed as a carrier).
Laid down: April 1942 ; Launched: May 1943 ; Completed: Aug. 1943
Class: Ex-US, "Belleau Wood"
U.S.N former names: Fargo, Crowm Point, Langley
Delivered to France: June 1951
(under the Mutual Defence Assistance Program to
Western Europe countries)
The La Fayette, 1949
Displacement: 11,000 tons, 15,000 tones with full load
Length: 190 m.
Power: 4 turbines, 100,000 SHP in total
Top speed: 32 knots
Range: 17,700 km. at 15 kts. 9,300 km. at 25 kts.
Defensive armament (original): 26 x 40mm & 10 x 20mm AA guns.
Modernized: mid. 50's.
Complement: ca. 1,200 ; 14,000 (war time)
End of service: 1963
Aircraft : 1952, up to 40 aircraft :
*Two fighter squadrons, with 14 a/c each.
* One anti-submarine squadron, with 12 a/c .
Aircraft types (in service 1951-1960): F8F Bearcat, F6F Hellcat,
TBM Avenger, AD-4/5 Skyraider.
1960 :
* One fighter-bomber squadron operating the S.E. Aquilon
* Two fighter-bomber squadrons with F4U-6/7 Corsairs.
* One anti-submarine squadron, with Alize
Arromanches
Type: Light aircraft carrier
Laid down: June 1942 ; Launched: September 1943 ; Completed: December 1944.
Class: Ex-U.K, H.M.S."Colossus"
Lent to France: August 1946; Purchased 1951.
The Arromanches, 1949
Displacement: 13,200 tons, 18,000 tones with full load
Length: 212 m.
Power: 2 turbines, 40,000 SHP in total
Top speed: 25 knots
Range: 19,300 km. at 14 kts. 10,000 km. at 23 kts.
Defensive armament: 24 x 2pdr (37mm) & 19 x 40mm AA guns.
Modernized: 1950-1951.
Complement: ca. 1,600, {war time}
Continued service as training carrier ; stricken 1974.
Aircraft (1952 and 1960): as La Fayette.
Dixmude, 1950.
Ex. U.S. escort carrier, 1940. 15,500 tons full load. Served in the British Navy and transfered to France, 1945.
Between 1949 and 1952 was used as ferry carrier between France and the U.S.A and between France and Indochina. Re-classified as transport carrier and, later, as supply vessel for the the French fighting fleet.
It had a very long range (48,000 km. at 10 kts, 32,000 km. at 15 kts). Complement: 500 - 600.
Defensive armament: 3 x 4" guns & 19 x 20mm A-A guns.
Ended service: 1966.
Source: data and pictures: [ janes fighting ships, 1953-1954 ]
THE NEW CARRIERS: CLEMENCEAU and FOCH
Both carriers are of the same class, ordered in 1953 (the first)
and in 1955 (the second).
Designation: R-98 (CLEMENCEAU), R-99 (FOCH)
Service: November 1961 and July 1963, respectively.
Displacement: 32,780 tons (full load)
Length: 265 m.
Propulsion: 2 turbines, 126,000 SHP total
Top speed: 32 knots.
Range: 12,000 km. at 18 kts.
Complement: 1,350 ; 1,900 (wartime),
of which ca. 600 aircrew and aerial support crews.
Defensive armament: 8 x 100mm multi-purpose guns.
The Clemenceau
The Foch
Aircraft (when entered service): 60
a) Two fighter-bomber squadrons, operating the Etendard IVM
b) One photo-recce detachment, equipped with Etendard IVP
c) One ASW squadron, with Alize.
d) A Multi-role detachment of S2F Tracker.
Source (data): [ The Observer's book of warships, 1983 ]
Photos of the two latest carriers are from the 80's
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THE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS