Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:38:35-1:39:07

Could a Phantom operate from Clemenceau?

An unmodified Clemenceau was not suited to the Phantom, though enough money could adapt ship and systems.

Carrier AircraftCarrier ModernisationClemenceau Class Aircraft CarriersF-4 Phantom II
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Question

Could an F-4 Phantom take off from a Clemenceau-class carrier?

Short answer

Not from the ship as built, although the carrier could theoretically be adapted if enough money and modification were available.

Notes

An unmodified Clemenceau could not operate the F-4 Phantom. Doing so would demand changes to the ship's aviation systems and probably its structure and deck arrangements. Enough money can make many ship-aircraft combinations technically possible, but that does not make the conversion economical. The practical question is how much redesign France would accept for the capability rather than whether an isolated launch could be demonstrated.