Dixmude 1945
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
| Dixmude (ex-Biter, ex-BAVG3, ex-Rio Parana) | 187 | Sun SB, Chester, USA // Atlantic Basin Iron Wks, USA | 28.12.1939 | 18.12.1940 | 1.5.1942 // 9.4.1945 | aircraft transport 1949, accommodation ship 1960 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
12850 |
|
Displacement full, t |
15300 |
|
Length, m |
150.0 |
|
Breadth, m |
21.2 wl 23.7 fd |
|
Draught, m |
7.75 |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
4 Doxford diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
8500 |
|
Max speed, kts |
16.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil 1308 and 1097 t of cargo oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 15000(15) |
|
Armament |
3 x 1 - 102/45 QF Mk V, 4 x 2 - 20/70 Mk IV, 11 x 1 - 20/70 Mk IV, 15 aircraft (Seafire fighters) |
| Electronic equipment | type 79, type 271 radars |
| Complement | 555 |
Aircraft facilities (fd - 2,963(3,192)m², ha - ~ 1,275m² / 6,222m³): Flight deck: 125(later 134.7)x23.7m, hangar was 4.88m in height. There was 1 lift (12.8x10.4m, 5.4t) and 1 catapult H-II (3.2t plane was launched at 113km/h). Aircraft fuel stowage was 164 000l.
| Year | Fighters | Diving bombers |
| 1945 | 15 Seafire | --- |
| 1947 | --- | 15 SBD Dauntless |
Project history: Former British escort aircraft carrier of Archer class, received from the USA on lend-lease. Early 1945 she was returned to the USA which have transferred her at to France.
First (with Archer) British escort aircraft carriers ordered in the USA by the agreement about lend-lease. They were converted from hulls of transport ships. Works have begun in April — May, 1941. Carriers had hulls of standard type ΡΗ transports. The stability was ensured with a concrete ballast (1930t). Besides, holding of 1000t of a water-ballast was recommended. Ships had no armour or underwater protection. Diesel fuel stowage consisted from 1362 - 1600t of ship stock and 1100 - 1700t in additional (cargo) tanks, used mainly for a refuelling of the ships of an escort at sea.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: Dixmude saw active service in Indo-China in 1947. She was re-rated as aviation transport in 1949 till 1960, when she converted to base ship for amphibious forces. Dixmude was returned to USA in 1966.
Dixmude
Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.
© Ivan Gogin, 2008-15