Béarn's specialized lifts and political design

Béarn's three aircraft-specific lifts reflected political compromises as much as operational requirements. One lift could move fighters quickly, while the other two were built for heavier torpedo bombers and reconnaissance aircraft. On a small carrier, two general-purpose lifts able to handle every aircraft would have offered more flexibility and fewer single points of failure. Dividing the contracts among three design teams spread work and money around, but left flight-deck crews with a less resilient system.