World Aircraft Carriers List: France

Revised 26 November 2001
Version 2.09
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Aircraft Carrier Lists Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/

Foudre seaplane cruiser
Campinas small seaplane carrier
Nord Class small seaplane carriers
Nord
Pas-de-Calais
Rouen small seaplane carrier
Commandante Teste seaplane carrier/depot ship

Converted Sloop Type small seaplane tenders
Belfort
Diligente
Engageante
Conquerante
Petrel Class inshore seaplane tenders
Petrel 1
Petrel 2
Petrel 3
Petrel 4
Petrel 5
Petrel 6
Petrel 7
Petrel 8
Sans Souci Class small seaplane tenders
Sans Souci
Sans Peur
Sans Pareil
Sans Reproche
Paul Goffeny Class small seaplane tenders
Paul Goffeny (A754)
Commandant Robert Giraud (A755)
Marcel Le Bihan (A759) small seaplane tender

Bearn experimental aircraft carrier
Joffre Class fleet aircraft carriers
Joffre
Painleve

Dixmude escort aircraft carrier
Arromanches (R95) light fleet aircraft carrier
Clemenceau light fleet aircraft carrier
Lafayette class light fleet aircraft carriers
Lafayette (R96)
Bois Belleau (R97)

Jeanne D'Arc (R97) helicopter/training cruiser
Clemenceau Class light multirole aircraft carriers
Clemenceau (R98)
Foch (R99)

Verdun attack aircraft carrier
PH 75 Project nuclear powered amphibious assault ship
Charles De Gaulle (R91) nuclear powered multirole aircraft carrier


Foudre seaplane cruiser

Displacement: 5,791 tons standard
Dimensions: 389.5 x 51 x 23.5 feet/18.8 x 15.5 x 7 meters
Propulsion: TE engines, 24 boilers, 2 shafts, 11,500 ihp, 19 knots
Crew: 430
Armor: 4.6 inch deck
Armament: 8 3.9 inch SP, 4 65 mm SP, 4 47 mm AA
Aircraft: 4 seaplanes

Concept/Program: A cruiser-type ship modified as a minimal seaplane carrier as an outgrowth of aviation tender/depot ship duties.

Design/Conversion: Built to a cruiser-like design as a torpedo boat depot ship, then modified for a series of auxiliary duties. She became a seaplane depot ship in 1912, and her 1913 modifications to carry and operate aircraft were probably an outgrowth of that duty. The conversion was minimal, consisting mainly of a makeshift hangar. She could nominally operate 8 seaplanes, but normally carried 2-4.

Operational: Saw service in a variety of auxiliary roles during WWI.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Worn out by the end of WWI, she was discared in 1921.


Foudre
ex-La Seine
Photos: [Foudre as a seaplane carrier]. [Another view of Foudre as a seaplane carrier].

Built by Ch de la Gironde. Laid down 9 June 1892, launched 20 Oct 1895, completed 1896 as a torpedo boat depot ship. Modified as repair ship in 1907, minelayer in 1910, seaplane depot ship/transport in 1911, and seaplane carrier in 1913.

During WWI she was employed in many duties, including submarine tender (various times 1914-1918), seaplane/aircraft transport, and headquarters ship (1916). Served as an aaviation school ship post WWI. Stricken 1 Dec 1921 and presumably scrapped.

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Campinas small seaplane carrier

Displacement: 3,319 tons standard
Dimensions: 357 x 42 x 23 feet/108.8 x 12.8 x 7 meters
Propulsion: TE engines, 2 boilers, 1 shaft, 1,500 ihp, 11.5 knots
Crew: ??
Armor: none
Armament: none
Aircraft: 6-8 seaplanes

Concept/Program: A small merchant ship modified for seaplane service during WWI.

Design/Conversion: Minimal conversion; small hangars and hoisting gear fitted on deck.

Operational: Operated in the Mediterranean; deployed to Suez in 1916.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Her fate is not known.


Campinas
ex merchant
Photos: [Campinas as converted].

Builder unknown. Laid down 1894, launched 1896, completed 1897. Taken over (date?), converted to seaplane carrier 1915.

Operated in the Mediterranean, deployed to Suez 1916. Disposition unknown.

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Nord class small seaplane carriers

Displacement: unknown; 1541 grt
Dimensions: 338 x 35 x 11 feet/103 x 10.6 x 3.4 meters
Propulsion: Reciprocating steam engines, 2 paddle wheels, 7,800 ihp, 20 knots
Crew: ???
Armor: none
Armament: none
Aircraft: 3 seaplanes

Concept/Program: Channel packet steamers taken over at the start of WWI as seaplane carriers.

Design/Conversion: Minimal conversion; small hangars and hoisting gear fitted on deck. These were paddlewheel ships.

Operational: Both based along the northern French coast.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Returned to merchant service in 1919.


Nord
ex merchant
Photos: [Nord as converted].

Builder unknown. Laid down 1897, launched 1898, completed 1899. Taken over at the start of WWI as a light auxiliary cruiser; converted to seaplane carrier 1915.

Based at Dunkirk 1916-1917. Returned to merchant service 1919. Fate unknown.

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Pas-de-Calais
ex-merchant
Photos: [No photo available].

Builder unknown. Laid down 1897, launched 1898, completed 1899. Taken over at the start of WWI as a light merchant cruiser; converted to seaplane carrier 1915.

Based at Cherbourg 1916-1917; operated on patrol duties. Returned to merchant service 1919. Fate unknown.

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Rouen small seaplane carrier

Displacement: unknown; 1656 grt
Dimensions: 302 x 34.5 x 9.5 feet/92 x 10.5 x 2.9 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 3 shafts, 8,000 shp, 24 knots
Crew: ????
Armor: none
Armament: 2 47 mm
Aircraft: 4 seaplanes

Concept/Program: Channel packet steamer taken over at the start of WWI as an auxiliary cruiser, later converted to a seaplane carrier.

Design/Conversion: Details unknown; probably similar to other small seaplane carriers.

Operational: Operated on convoy duties in the Mediterranean.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Returned to merchant service in 1919; served in French and German navies in WWII.


Rouen
ex merchant
Photos: [No photo available].

Builder unknown. Laid down ????, launched 1912, completed 1912. Taken into naval service as a light auxiliary cruiser 1914. Damaged by a mine 29 December 1916 and converted to a seaplane carrier during repairs.

Operated in the Mediterranean. Returned to merchant service 1919. Taken into naval service early in WWII as an ammunition ship, served as an evacuation transport at Dunkirk. Captured by the Germans 1940 and commissioned as minelayer Wullenwever. Hulk recovered at Kiel postwar; scrapped in 1946.

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Commandante Teste seaplane carrier/depot ship

Displacement: 11,500 tons full load
Dimensions: 548 x 88.5 x 23 feet/167 x 27 x 7 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 21,000 shp, 20.5 knots
Crew: 686
Armor: 2 inch belt, 1.5 inch deck
Armament: 12 3.9/45 AA, 8 37 mm AA, 6 dual 13.2 mm AA
Aircraft: 26 seaplanes

Concept/Program: A multipurpose ship designed to serve as an offensive seaplane carrier, a repair/depot ship for battleship and cruiser seaplanes, and a seaplane transport.

Design: High-freeboard hull with large integral hangar and a seaplane deck, 4 heavy cranes and a catapult amidships. Small crane and working area at the stern.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Lost along with the bulk of the French fleet in 1942.


Commandant Teste
Photos: [Commandante Teste as completed], [Sunk - stern view], [Sunk - bow view - color].

Built by FC de la Gironde. Laid down 5/1927, launched 12 April 1929, completed 1932.

Operated in the Mediterranean early in WWII. Scuttled at Toulon 27 November 1942 to avoid capture by Germans. Raised 1946. Planned refit as a fast transport or reconstruction as a training carrier cancelled. Received minimal refit and was used as stores ship. Sold for scrapping 15 May 1950.

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Petrel Class inshore seaplane tenders

Displacement: 80 tons
Dimensions: 86 x 14.25 x 3 feet/26.2 x 4.35 x .95 meters
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 270 bhp, 11.5 knots
Crew: unknown
Armor: none
Armament: light guns
Aircraft: servicing facilities

Concept/Program: 8 small seaplane support ships ordered for the Air Ministry in 1931 but operated by the Navy. Many details unknown.

Design: Small utility craft with light maintenance facilities at the stern.


Petrel 1: Became German Ga.70 12/1942; fate unknown. Petrel 5: Fate unknown; vanishes at Brest 6/1940.
Petrel 2: Became German gunboat 12/1942; returned 1945, fate unknown. Petrel 6: Became German Ga.71 1942; fate unknown.
Petrel 3: Became Italian FR.71 1942; returned 10/1943, fate unknown. Petrel 7: Scrapped 8/1947.
Petrel 4: To RN 1940; returned 1942, scrapped 2/1962. Petrel 8: Scuttled at Toulon 27 November 1942; salvaged as German Gk.71; scuttled 4 August 1944.

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Converted Sloops type small seaplane tenders

See individual ships for specifications

Concept/Program: A series of four obsolete sloops/gunboats designated for disposal in 1942, but retained for conversion to seaplane tenders at the outbreak of war. Apparently only two vessels were actually converted.

Class: Diligente and Engageante were Friponne class; Conquerante was of the similar Valliante class. Belfort was an Amiens class convoy sloop, designed to look like a merchant ship in order to confuse enemy submarines.

Design/Conversion: Minimal. Those actually fitted for seaplane service had a small crane and light maintenance facilities.


Belfort
Photos: [Belfort as a seaplane tender].

Displacement: 850 tons normal
Dimensions: 245.5 x 28.5 x 10.5 feet/74.9 x 8.7 x 3.2 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 boilers, 2 shafts, 5000 shp, 20 knots
Crew: approx. 100 (?)
Armor: none
Armament: unknown
Aircraft: small seaplane deck

Built by Arsenal De Lorient. Laid down ???, launched 3/1919, probably completed 1919. Fitted as a seaplane tender by 1939.

Sold 22 November 1946 and subsequently scrapped.

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Diligente
Photos: [Diligente, apparently before conversion].

Displacement: 315 tons
Dimensions: 218 x 23 x 9 feet/66.4 x 7 x 2.8 meters
Propulsion: Diesels, 2 shafts, 900 bhp, 14.5 knots
Crew: approx 50-60 (?)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 3.9 inch (?)
Aircraft: Servicing facilities

Built by Arsenal De Brest. Laid down ???, launched 1916, probably completed 1916. Apparently converted to seaplane tender 1939-1940.

Laid up in the UK from 6/1940 to the end of the war. Scrapped 12/1946.

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Engageante
Photos: [Engageante].

Displacement: 315 tons
Dimensions: 218 x 23 x 9 feet/66.4 x 7 x 2.8 meters
Propulsion: Diesels, 2 shafts, 900 bhp, 14.5 knots
Crew: approx 50-60 (?)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 3.9 inch (?)
Aircraft: Not fitted

Built by Arsenal De Brest. Laid down ??, launched 1916, probably completed 1916. Planned conversion to seaplane tender apparently not carried out. Laid up at Algiers early in WWII. Stricken 1944, scrapped 3 December 1945.

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Conquerante
Photos: [no photos available]

Displacement: approx. 457 tons
Dimensions: 217.5 x 26 x 9 feet/66.4 x 7.9 x 2.8 meters
Propulsion: Diesels, 2 shafts, 1,800 bhp, 17 knots
Crew: approx. 50-60 (?)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 3.9 inch (?)
Aircraft: not fitted

Built by Arsenal De Brest. Laid down ???, launched 1917, probably completed 1917. Planned seaplane tender conversion apparently not carried out. Was in the UK at the fall of France; seized by the British 3 July 1940. Briefly served as an RN patol vessel. Sunk by German aircraft at Falmouth in 1941.

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Sans Souci class small seaplane tenders

Displacement: 1,372 tons standard (design)
Dimensions: 311.5 x 38.5 x 10.5 feet/96 x 11.7 x 3.2 meters
Propulsion: Diesels, 2 shafts, 4,200 bhp, 18 knots
Crew: ???
Armor: none (?)
Armament: 1 3 inch AA
Aircraft: seaplane working deck only

Concept/Program: A class of four small seaplane tenders, presumably for duty in the Pacific and other remote regions, where there was a need to support scouting aircraft at undeveloped bases. The incomplete ships were captured by the Germans during WWII; initial plans were to complete them as seaplane tenders, but they were used as gunboats instead. The survivors were returned postwar and were completed as survey ships.


Sans Souci
Photos: [As German SG1]

Built by Ch. de St. Nazaire-Penhoet. Laid down ???, captured when 34% complete, launched 2 October 1940. Initially planned for completion as a seaplane tender, assigned name Jupiter, then Merkur; name cancelled when converted to a gunboat 4/1942. Commissioned as gunboat SG1 9 August 1942. Decommissioned 22 August 1944, partially disarmed 5/1945, returned in 1945.

Rebuilt as survey ship Beautemps Beaupre postwar, completed 8 May 1947. Stricken 1969, hulked as Q456, scrapped 1973.

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Sans Peur
Photos: [Hulk La Perouse postwar] [As survey ship La Perouse postwar] [Hulk of La Perouse at Brest in 1978]

Built by Ch. de St. Nazaire-Penhoet. Laid down ???, captured when 42% complete, launched 28 November 1940. Initially planned for completion as a seaplane tender, assigned name Merkur, then Jupiter; name cancelled when converted to a gunboat 4/1942. Commissioned as gunboat SG4 2 September 1943. Decommissioned 22 August 1944, partially disarmed 5/1945, returned 1945.

Rebuilt as survey ship La Perourse, completed 23 April 1947. Stricken 1969, hulked at Brest, hulk survived at least through 1984. Eventually sunk as a target, date unknown.

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Sans Pareil
Photos: [No photos available].

Built by Ch. de St. Nazaire-Penhoet. Laid down ???, caputured when 32% complete, launched 28 November 1940. Initially planned for completion as a seaplane tender, assigned name Uranus, then Saturn; name cancelled when converted to a gunboat 4/1942. Commissioned as gunboat SG3 2 November 1942. Sunk by Allied aircraft 6 August 1944.

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Sans Reproche
Photos: [No photos available].

Built by Ch. de St. Nazaire-Penhoet. Laid down ???, captured when 41% complete, launched 30 October 1940. Initially planned for completion as a seaplane tender, assigned name Saturn, then Uranus; name cancelled when converted to a gunboat 4/1942. Commissioned as gunboat SG2 7 September 1942. Severely damaged by a mine 8 May 1943, then sunk by Allied aircraft 23 September 1943 at Nantes.

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Paul Goffeny class small seaplane tenders

Displacement: approx. 1,200 tons
Dimensions: 256 x 35.5 x 12 feet/78 x 10.8 x 3.65 meters
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 8,800 hp, 18.5 knots
Crew: 78 (A755)
Armor: none
Armament: 1 105 mm, 2 40 mm, 2 dual 20 mm, 1 mortar (A755)
Aircraft: none; working deck only

Concept/Program: Two ex-German tug-type small seaplane tenders taken over after WWII and employed in seaplane support duties in Indochina. Relatively little is known about their French service.


Paul Goffeny
F754 - A754
ex-German Max Stinsky
Photos: [No photos available]

Built by Norderwerft Koser & Meyer, Hamburg. Laid down ???, launched 1940, completed 7 August 1941. Interned in Spain 8/1944, turned over to RN 12/1945, then transferred to France 2/1948 as O.E. Paul Goffeny, later renamed Paul Goffeny. Initially designated F754, later designated A754.

Operated as a seaplane support ship in Indochina from 1948 to 1955, then as a patrol and rescue ship in the South Atlantic until 1964. From 1964 to 1968 served as a hydrographic vessel. Decommissioned to reserve 30 December 1968. Fate unknown.

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Commandant Robert Giraud
(F755?) - A755
ex- German Imelmann
Photos: [No photos available]

Built by Norderwerft Koser & Meyer, Hamburg. Laid down ??, launched 1941, completed 18 Dec 1941. Interned in Spain 8/1944, turned over to RN 12/1945, transferred to France 8/1946 as Commandant Robert Giraud (A755) (may have been F755 initially).

Operated as a seaplane support ship in Indochina through the 1950's. Reclassified as netlayer in 1963 and stationed in Madagascar. Decommissioned to reserve 1976. Fate unknown.

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Marcel Le Bihan small seaplane tender

Displacement: approx. 890 tons
Dimensions: 236 x 34.7 x 10 feet/72 x 10.6 x 3 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 4,400 hp, 16 knots
Crew: ??
Armor: none
Armament: unknown
Aircraft: none; working deck only

Concept/Program: A third ex-German tug-type seaplane tender taken over after WWII and employed in Indochina.


Marcel Le Bihan
(F579?) - A759
ex-German Greif
Photos: [Greif in German service].

Built by Stettiner Oderwerke, Stettin. Laid down ???, launched 1936, completed 1 August 1937. Taken over by the US 22 Dec 1945, transferred to France 2/1948 as Marcel Le Bihan (A759) (may have been F759 initially).

Operated as a seaplane support ship in Indochina from 1948 to 1961, then became a deep-sea dive support ship. Survived at least through 1982. Fate unknown.

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Bearn experimental aircraft carrier

Displacement: 28,400 tons full load
Dimensions: 559 x 89 x 30.5 feet/170.4 x 27 x 9.3 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 599 x 115.5 x 30.5 feet/182.6 x 35 x 9.3 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines plus reciprocating engines, 6 boilers, 4 shafts, 22,500 shp plus 15,000 ihp, 21.5 knots
Crew: 875
Armor: 3.25 inch belt, 1 inch flight and main decks, 2.75 inch lower deck
Armament: 8 6.1/55m 6 3 inch AA, 8 37 mm AA, 16 MG, 4 21.7 inch TT
Aircraft: 40

Concept/Program: A WWI-era battleship converted to an experimental carrier postwar. Designed with British assistance. As in other nations' early carriers, she spent her early years in experimental, trials and development roles and was quickly made obsolete by advancing carrier design.

Design/Conversion: Basic battleship hull retained, but armor greatly reduced. Reboilered, but the original steam/reciprocating plant was retained. Had a single-level hangar, but with repair shops and spare aircraft storage below. Large island sponsoned out to starboard. Her elevators were small, oddly shaped and inneficient. Was too slow to serve as an effective fleet unit.

Modifications: The flight deck was rebuilt with a downward slope at the bow soon after completion. Refitted and generally upgraded in 1935.

Operational: Her operational abilities were limited by the poor selection of aircraft available, in addition to her low speed.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Service as a carrier ended with the fall of France in 1940; her only wartime and postwar service was as an aircraft transport.


Bearn
Photos: [Bearn as completed], [After 1935 refit], [As an aircraft transport during WWII].

Built by FC de la Mediterranee, La Seyne. Laid down 10 Jan 1914, suspended at the start of WWI, temporarily resumed postwar, launched 4/1920. Postwar plans for completion as a battleship cancelled. Converted to an aircraft carrier 1923-1927, commissioned 5/1927.

Refitted 1935. Interned at Martinique 6/1940, demilitarized 5/1942. Transferred to Free French forces 30 June 1943. Refitted as aircraft transport 1943-1944 at New Orleans; guns replaced by 4 5/38, 5 quad 40 mm, 26 20 mm.

Used as a transport to Southeast Asia postwar. Hulked 1948 as a training ship, later used as a submarine depot ship. Stricken 11/1966, sold 31 March 1967 and subsequently scrapped in Italy.

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Joffre class fleet aircraft carriers

Displacement: 20,000 tons normal
Dimensions: 774 x 80.5 x 21.5 feet/236 x 24.5 x 6.5 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 774 x 113 x 21.5 feet/236 x 34.5 x 6.5 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 125,000 shp, 33 knots
Crew: 1251
Armor: 4 inch belt, 1.5-2.34 inch deck
Armament: 4 dual 5.1/45 DP, 4 dual 37 mm AA, 6 quad 13.2 mm AA
Aircraft: 40

Concept/Program: An inter-war fleet carrier project; the outbreak of war forced cancellation.

Design: A somewhat unusual design, with dual hangars totally separate from the hull, and a large starboard-side superstructure.


Joffre

Laid down at A C de St-Nazaire Penhoet 26 Nov 1938, construction abandoned 6/1940. Scrapped.

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Painleve

Never laid down.

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Dixmude (HMS Avenger class) escort aircraft carrier

Displacement: 15,125 tons full load
Dimensions: 492 x 69.5 x 25 feet/150 x 21 x 7.6 meters
Propulsion:a Diesels, 1 shaft, 8,500 bhp, 16.5 knots
Crew: 555
Armor: none
Armament: 3 4/50, 19 20 mm AA
Aircraft: 15

Concept/Program: US-built escort carrier transferred immediately postwar. She was used mainly as an aviation transport.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Her service as a carrier ended in 1949 and she became an aviation transport, later hulked as a base ship.


Dixmude
ex HMS Biter, ex merchant Rio Parana
Photos: [Rio Hudson, Rio Parana and Rio De La Plata just prior to conversion], [HMS Biter], [As French Dixmude].


Built by Sun Shipbuilding. Laid down 28 December 1939, launched 18 Dec 1940. Acquired by USN 20 May 1941. Converted at Atlantic Basin Iron Works, transferred and commissioned in RN service as HMS Biter (D97) 1 May 1942. Employed in convoy escort duties. Damaged by a torpedo from her own aircraft 16 November 1943 after the aircraft ditched alongside.

Damaged by fire in port 24 August 1944; repair facilities were not available and the ship was laid up in reserve. Returned to USN 9 April 1945 and immediately transferred to France as Dixmude. After limited service as a carrier she was used as a transport starting 1949 and was disarmed during 1951-1953. Stricken from USN Naval Vessels Register 24 Jan 1951. Hulked as an accommodation/base ship 1960. At the end of her active service she was listed at 8,500 tons displacement and 16 knots maximum speed. Returned to USN for disposal 10 June 1966. Subsequently sunk as a target.

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Arromanches (HMS Colossus class) light fleet aircraft carrier

Displacement: 18,300 tons full load
Dimensions: 630 x 80 x 23 feet/192 x 24.4 x 7 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 695 x 80 x 23 feet/211.8 x 24.4 x 7 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 40,000 shp, 25 knots
Crew: 1300 Armor: none
Armament: 6 quad 2 pound AA, 19 40 mm AA
Aircraft: 24

Concept/Program: An ex-RN light fleet carrier loaned immediately postwar; the first real step towards rebuilding the French navy's strength. She served in several roles and was updated with an angled deck before being replaced.

Modifications: Refitted in 1957-58 with a shallow angled deck, catapult and AA guns removed; outfitted as ASW and training carrier. Again reffitted 1968 for ASW service.

Operational: Saw combat service off Vietnam and at Suez.

Departure from Service/Disposal: By the mid-1950's she had been replaced in the first-line role, by 1968 she could only operate helicopters, and in 1974 she was finally discarded.


Arromanches
ex-HMS Colossus
R95
"H"
Photos: [Colossus as completed], [Arromanches as transferred], [As an ASW carrier], [Scrapping].

Built by Vickers-Armstrong, Tyne. Laid down 1 June 1942, launched 30 Sept 1943, commissioned 1 Dec 1944. RN designation changed to R61 circa 1945 for service in the Pacific; arrived in the Pacific too late to see combat. Returned home in 1946 and returned to original designation (15). Decommissioned for transfer 23 July 1946 immediately upon return to UK; loaned to France as Arromanches (R95) 6 Aug 1946.

Frequently deployed to Indo-China starting in 1949. Formally sold to France in 1951. Refitted in 1957-58 as an ASW/training carrier. Starting in 1962 she embarked assault helicopters at times. Refitted in 1968 to serve primarily in the ASW role and redesignated as a helicopter carrier with 24 helicopters embarked. She was also tasked with intervention/assault, training, and fast military transport.

Decommissioned and stricken 22 Jan 1974; subsequently sold and scrapped at Toulon in 1978.

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Clemenceau light fleet aircraft carrier

Displacement: 20,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 705 x 83 x 21 feet/214.8 x 24.5 x 6.4 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 754.5 x 118 x 21 feet/230 x 36 x 6.5 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 105,000 shp, 32 knots
Crew: 1800
Armor: none (?)
Armament: 8 dual 3.9 inch DP, 8 dual 57 mm AA
Aircraft: 45

Concept/Program: The first major French carrier construction program of the postwar era, this ship would have been a light fleet carrier. The program was inspired by the need for effective carriers in the Vietnamese conflict, but that same conflict forced the cancellation of this program for economic reasons.


Clemenceau

Authorized in 1947 but abandoned in 1950 before work was started.

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Lafayette class (USS Independence class) light fleet aircraft carriers

Displacement: 15,800 tons full load
Dimensions: 600 x 71.5 x 26 ft
Extreme Dimensions: 622.5 x 109.25 x 26 ft
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 565 psi boilers, 4 shafts, 100,000 shp, 31.6 kts
Crew: 1,400
Armor: none
Armament: 2 quad, 9 dual 40 mm AA, 3 dual 20 mm AA
Aircraft: 26

Concept/Program: Ex-USN light fleet carriers transferred in the early 1950's. These ships formed the main strength of the French Navy until the new Clemenceau class ships were commissioned in the 1960's.

Design: Originally laid down as light cruisers but completed as light carriers. These ships had virtually no growth margin, preventing any major postwar modernizations.

Modifications: Armament reduced and electronics upgraded in French service.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Replaced by the new Clemenceau class ships and returned to USN for scrapping in the early 1960's.


Lafayette
ex-USS Langley, ex-Crown Point, ex-Fargo
R96
Photos: [Langley in heavy seas during WWII], [Lafayette in French service].

DANFS History


Built by New York Shipbuilding. Reordered as carrier and redesignated CV 27 31 March 1942, laid down 11 April 1942, renamed 13 Nov 1942, renamed again 15 May 1943, launched 22 May 1943, commissioned 31 Aug 1943. Redesignated CVL 27 15 July 1943. Decommissioned to reserve 11 Feb 1947.

Transferred to France 8 Jan 1951, overhauled during reactivation. Renamed Lafayette and commissioned into French service 2 June 1951, designated R96.

Returned to USN March 1963. Stricken for disposal 20 March 1963, scrapped at Baltimore in 1964.

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Bois Belleau
ex-USS Beleau Wood, ex-New Haven
R97
Photos: [Belleau Wood as completed], [Bois Belleau in service].

DANFS History


Built by New York Shipbuilding. Laid down as light cruiser 11 Aug 1941, reordered as carrier, renamed and redesignated CV 24 14 Feb 1942, launched 6 Dec 1942, commissioned as carrier 31 Mar 1943. Redesignated CVL 24 15 July 1943. Hit by kamikaze 30 Oct 1944. Decommissioned to reserve 13 Jan 1947.

Transferred to France 6/51, overhauled during reactivation. Renamed Bois Belleau and commissioned in French service 9 Sept 1953, designated R97.

Returned to USN 9/60, stricken for disposal 1 Oct 1960. Scrapped at Chester PA in 1962.

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Jeanne D'Arc helicopter/training cruiser

Displacement: 13,270 tons full load
Dimensions: 564 x 72 x 24 feet/192 x 22 x 7.3 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 597 x 79 x 24 feet/182 x 24 x 7.3 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 40,000, 26.5 knots (cruise)
Crew: 627 plus 140 cadets
Armor: none
Armament: 4 single 100mm DP
Aircraft: 8 helicopters

Concept/Program: A combination helicopter ship/cruiser meant to act as a training ship in peacetime, ASW or assault ship in wartime. Originally intended only for training, to replace a prewar cruiser, but was redesigned with ASW/assault capabilities due to a general shuffling of duties among the carriers.

Design: Large helicopter deck aft with hangar below, midships superstructure, cruiser-type weapons forward. Lightly armed, reflecting training role. The gun armament was reduced, and an ASW rocket launcher eliminated, during construction. The hangar is used for berthing and other functions in peacetime but can be quickly reconverted for aircraft if needed.

Modifications: Six Exocet SSM fitted in 1975.

Operational: Has been assigned to training duties since completion.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Scheduled to serve through 2005.


Jeanne D'Arc
ex-La Resolute
R97
Photos: [Jeanne D'Arc as completed - helicopter deck], [Port side view], [Exocet launchers closeup].

Built by Brest Arsenal. Laid down 7 July 1960, launched 30 Sept 1961, commissioned 30 June 1964.

6 Exocet added 1975. Refitted 1983-1984 and 1988-1989. Will be stricken 2005.

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Clemenceau class light multirole aircraft carriers

Displacement: 32,700 tons full load
Dimensions: 780.8 x 104 x 28.2 feet/238 x 31.7 x 8.6 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 869.5 x 168 x 28.2 feet/265 x 51.2 x 8.6 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 6 boilers, 2 shafts, 126,000 hp, 32 knots
Crew: 1,338 plus 582 air group
Armor: none
Armament: 8 single 100 mm DP
Aircraft: 40

Concept/Program: Small, but modern, multirole carriers built to replace the old ex-US CVLs. Formed the mainstay of the French Navy for over 30 years. Both have seen lengthy service as numerous replacement plans were cancelled or delayed. They were intended to operate in the amphibious role if needed, but have served in the carrier role only.

Design: Typical postwar carrier design, but on a smaller scale. Relatively heavy gun armament; the angled deck is shallower than in US ships. Additional armament had been planned but was eliminated to reduce topweight, and the ships were bulged to improve stability.

Modifications: Both went through extensive overhauls in the late 1970's/early 1980's and had new defensive systems fitted in the late 1980's: 2 Crotale SAM launchers fitted in place of 4 100 mm guns.

Departure from Service/Disposal: Clemenceau decommissioned without replacement 9/1997. Foch was to be retired and held in reserve following the completion of De Gaulle, but it was announced 6/1998 that she would be permanently retired instead.


Clemenceau
R98
Photos: [Clemenceau as completed], [After 1980's refit], [Late service view].

Built by Brest Arsenal. Laid down 11/55, launched 21 Dec 1957, commissioned 22 Nov 1961.

Extensive refit at Toulon 9/77 to 11/78. Refitted with new defensive systems 1 Sept 1985 to 31 Aug 1987. Decommissioned 9/1997; plans for disposal unknown.

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Foch
R99
Photos: [Foch as completed].

Built by Ch. Atlantique (St. Nazaire), completed at Brest. Laid down 2/57, launched 7/1959 when complete up to the hangar floor, transferred to Brest and docked for completion, relaunched 28 July 1960, commissioned 15 July 1963.

Refitted 15 July 1980 to 4 Dec 1981. Refitted with new defensive systems 2/87 to 6/88. Decommissioned 15 November 2000 and transferred to Brazil as Sao Paulo (A12) same date.

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Verdun attack aircraft carrier

Displacement: 45,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 860 x 112 x ?? feet/262 x 34 x ?? meters
Extreme Dimensions: 939 x 190 x ?? feet/286.3 x 58 x ?? meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 shafts, 200,000 shp, 33 knots
Crew: ???
Armor: none
Armament: 2 Masurca SAM, 8 single 100 mm DP
Aircraft: unknown

Concept/Program: A larger carrier, intended as a nuclear-strike ship. Cancelled due to cost; one of a series of projects to meet this fate.


Verdun

Authorized 1958 but abandoned 1961 before work started.

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PH 75 Project nuclear powered amphibious assault ship

Displacement: 18,400 tons full load
Dimensions: 682 x 87 x 21 feet/208 x 26.5 x 6.5 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 682 x 157 x 21 feet/207.9 x 47.9 x 6.5 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 1 CAS-230 reactor, 2 shafts, 65,000 shp, 28 knots
Crew: 890 plus 1000 troops
Armor: none
Armament: 2 Crotale SAM, 2 100 mm DP
Aircraft: 10-25 helicopters

Concept/Program: Initially conceived as a replacement for the aging Arromanches in the assualt role, this ship grew to include assault, ASW, disaster relief, and command roles. Nuclear propulsion was chosen, presumably to allow expeditionary operations without supporting auxiliaries. When this was officially a "live" project it was planned for completion in 1981, but was continually delayed and eventually cancelled.
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Charles De Gaulle nuclear powered multirole aircraft carrier

Displacement: 36,000 tons full load
Dimensions: 780.8 x 103 x 27.8 feet/238 x 31.4 x 8.5 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 858 x 211 x 27.8 feet/261.5 x 64.4 x 8.5 meters
Propulsion: Steam turbines, 2 K17 reactors, 2 shafts, 83,000 hp, 27 knots
Crew: 1350 ship, 550 air group, 800 troops (2150 total)
Armor: none
Armament: 2 16 cell SAAM SAM VLS, 2 Sadral SAM, 8 20 mm AA
Aircraft: 35-40

Concept/Program: This ship is the realization of a long series of design studies intended to replace or supplement the Clemenceaus. Nuclear propulsion and a prolonged construction period have made the project tremendously expensive. The commissioning date has been continually delayed, and a proposed second ship has now been dropped.

Design: Similar to Clemenceau in size and general configuration. The design incorporates many stealth features. She will be able to operate in the carrier or assault role, or as a combination ship.


Charles De Gaulle
R91
Photos: [De Gaulle fitting out], [De Gaulle nearing completion].

Built by DCN, Brest. Laid down 14 April 1989, launched 15 May 1994, started trials in 1998, commissioned 18 May 2001.

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The World Aircraft Carrier Lists
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2003 by Andrew Toppan
Reproduction, reuse or distribution without permission is prohibited