Once approved as new construction, the project accumulated more aircraft, heavier surface and anti-aircraft armament, a larger hangar, and a stronger independent-base role. Later studies envisioned 24 aircraft, including large Farman Goliath torpedo bombers, plus crated reserves, torpedoes, bombs, fuel, spare engines, and workshops. Competing machinery studies traded funnel placement against hangar capacity, and the final arrangement combined the broad hangar of one proposal with the unit machinery of another. The approved ship could carry ready aircraft alongside disassembled replacements, illustrating how aviation logistics shaped internal volume as much as flying operations did. Commandant Teste therefore emerged from expanding requirements rather than one stable specification.
Chapter · 8:30-12:20
Mission growth reshapes Commandant Teste
Successive requirements expand the French aviation transport's air group, armament, hangars, machinery, fuel, and stores before the final Commandant Teste design emerges.