The proposed PA2 looked visually and conceptually promising, and modern French carrier work is described as generally strong. The discussion nevertheless finds an alternating pattern in which good designs are followed by avoidable difficulties. Charles de Gaulle looked effective overall, yet her engines, catapults, and other systems required serious remedial work, including time in Britain. The older Béarn carried a similarly complicated mix of turbines and triple-expansion engines intended to improve cruising economy. That choice helped confine the ship to about 21.5 knots, showing how propulsion decisions can constrain the whole carrier even when individual pieces of machinery are respectable.
Notable Point · 1:28:18-1:30:40
French carrier design mixed strong concepts with difficult machinery
The proposed PA2 looked promising, while Charles de Gaulle and Béarn illustrate how machinery and propulsion choices could undermine otherwise capable French carrier designs.