Bearn as the carrier problem

Bearn was both a symptom and a cause of France's carrier weakness. Britain could compare imperfect ships such as Eagle and Hermes with other carriers, while the United States could learn from Lexington. France had only a converted Normandie-class hull whose low speed, legacy armament, and late entry into service offered a poor foundation for doctrine. Fixed broadside torpedo tubes and cruiser-style guns show how closely the conversion remained tied to its battleship origins. One compromised experimental carrier gave the French Navy too little experience from which to build a mature aviation system.