The French Navy moved beyond merely considering twin-engine carrier aircraft and began building prototypes to test the concept. That program was unusual among contemporary carrier navies and demonstrates the willingness to pursue technically ambitious solutions. It also changed the industrial competition because firms with existing twin-engine designs could offer naval adaptations. Levasseur's advantage in specialized single-engine reconnaissance and torpedo aircraft consequently mattered less. The pivot helps explain why his long sequence of French naval-aircraft orders came to an end even though the PL.10 family had been useful.
Notable Point · 35:35-36:14
Twin-engine carrier prototypes end Levasseur's naval run
France's unusually serious pursuit of twin-engine carrier aircraft opened procurement to firms able to adapt larger designs and displaced Levasseur's established line.