The French Aircraft Carrier Clemenceau

The French aircraft carrier Clemenceau was a powerful ship that served the Marine Nationale from 1957 to 1961. It had a sloped flight deck, mirror systems, observation means, and modern catapults. It performed countless tasks in European and Pacific waters, supporting land forces and forming one of the strongest task forces in the Mediterranean region.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 28 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2021
Publisher: Kagero Oficyna Wydawnicza

The French aircraft carrier Clemenceau is a remarkable vessel that stands as one of the largest and most formidable ships to have served the Marine Nationale. Her keel was laid in November 1955 at the Brest Arsenal Ch. Atlantique in St. Nazaire, and she was launched two years later, on December 21st, 1957. This remarkable ship was built based on a project that began in the early 1950s, incorporating nearly all the novelties introduced in the construction of aircraft carriers of this type. As a result, Clemenceau boasts a range of impressive features, including a sloped flight deck with two lifts, advanced mirror systems for easier landings, observation systems to detect surface units early, and modern catapults designed to work with jet aircraft with significant takeoff mass.

The ship's dimensions are noteworthy, with a flight deck length of 257 meters, a main runway measuring 165.5 meters in length and 29.5 meters in width, and a deviation from the ship's centerline of 8 degrees. Below the flight deck, there is a spacious hangar measuring 180 meters in length and 22 meters in width. Throughout her more than forty years of service, which commenced on November 22, 1961, Clemenceau has accomplished an array of tasks in both European and Pacific waters. She has provided support to land forces, including operations in former French colonies and during nuclear tests. Alongside her sister ship, Foch, Clemenceau formed one of the most powerful task forces in the Mediterranean region and the waters of Western Europe.

In conclusion, the French aircraft carrier Clemenceau is a testament to the engineering prowess and technological advancements of the French Navy during the mid-20th century. Her impressive size, advanced features, and long service history make her a symbol of French naval power and a valuable asset to the Marine Nationale.

Weight: 178g
Dimension: 213 x 299 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9788366673564