NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Commandant Teste

Ships

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

Technical data

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

Air group

Year	Reconnaissance	torpedo bombers
1940	14 Loire 130	12 Laté 298

Standard scale images

Graphics

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.

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.