Commandant Teste 1940
Commandant Teste 1940
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Commandant Teste | F C de la Gironde, Bordeaux | 6.9.1927 | 12.4.1929 | 18.4.1932 | scuttled 27.11.1942 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
10000 |
|
Displacement full, t |
11500 |
|
Length, m |
156.3 pp 167.0 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
27.0 |
|
Draught, m |
6.93 |
|
No of shafts |
2 |
|
Machinery |
2 sets Schneider-Zoelly geared steam turbines, 4 Yarrow-Loire boilers |
|
Power, h. p. |
21000 |
|
Max speed, kts |
20.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
coal 720 + oil 290 |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 6000(10) |
| Armour, mm | belt: 50, deck: 36, CT: 80 |
|
Armament |
12 x 1 - 100/45 M1927, 8 x 1 - 37/50 M1925, 6 x 2 - 13.2/76, 4 catapults, 26 seaplanes (F.B.A.17, CAMS.37, G.L.810, G.L.812) |
| Complement | 644 |
Aircraft facilities (ha - 2,268m² / 15,876m³): Seaplanes were stored in hangar (84x27x7m). There were 4 catapults, seaplanes were handled by 5 5-12t cranes.
| Year | Reconnaissance | Torpedo bombers |
| 1940 | 14 Loire 130 | 12 Laté 298 |
Project history: Built under the 1926 programme, should to serve as an aircraft transport, seaplane carrier with the limited repair capacities and seaplane depot ship for battleships and cruisers. The largest seaplane carrier in Europe. Launch of seaplanes was ensured by 4 catapults, arresting was provided by a towed awning. To the ship two squadrons (Laté 298 torpedo bomber seaplanes and LN 130 reconnaissance flying boats) have been assigned, but really they never been based on the ship.
Ship protection: Main 50mm belt protected most part of length from CT to stern hangar deck. Armoured 36mm deck covered only machinery.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: After defeat of France Commandant Teste remained under the control of Vichy Government. She was scuttled at Toulon 27.11.1942, raised by Italians 1.5.1943, then captured by Germans and 19.8.1944 sunk by Allied aircraft. In 1945 ship was again salvaged, but plans of conversion to training aircraft carrier or personnel transport were not been realised, Commandant Teste was used as store ship for US equipment and sold in May, 1950.
Commandant Teste
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-14