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Aviation History
1957
1957 - 0707.PDF
713FLIGHT, 24 May1957 The first two Breguet 1050 Alizes in the air. These Rolls-Royce Dart-powered anti-submarine aircraft are to replace Avengers in the Aeronavale. FRENCH AVIATION TODAY (MILITARY) . . . fighter version of the Vautour will replace the Meteor NF.lls andthe bomber version will become the foundation of the new French bomber force which is being reconstituted for the first time sincethe days of World War 2. The Nord 2501 is still being supplied to the transport groups; and a new version with small turbojets at thewing-tips is being considered. This would give the aircraft greater tactical usefulness, for the take-off run would be considerablyreduced. The Fouga Magister, already in service with the pilot-trainingschool at Salon de Provence, is soon to become the standard French training aircraft. The SE.3130 Alquette light helicopterhas now reached squadron service and deliveries are continuing very rapidly.Present operational requirements call for an interception and ground-support aircraft, a light defence aircraft, a heavy helicopter,low-powered turboprops and ramjets, and the development of guided missiles.The Naval Air Arm. Some 11,400 men of the French Navy are serving with the Aeronavale—the fleet air arm—and of these800 are officers. Aircraft strength is 850. The force is divided into two sections, ship-borne and land-based units, and units are againsubdivided into flotilles (F) and escadrilles (S). The present carrier strength is three vessels, Arromanches, La Fayette and BoisBelleau, although the last-named is to be returned to the U.S. Navy next year. There is also a light escort carrier, Dixmude, usedprincipally in the ferrying and support role. Two new carriers are reported to be under construction, called Beam and Clemenceau.These will be equipped to latest standards with angled decks and possibly also with steam catapults and mirrors. There are eight flotilles, equipped for attack, interception andanti-submarine work. The first two tasks are carried out by F4U-7 Corsairs and Aquilons (Sea Venoms) which will be replaced in duecourse by Etendards or Breguet llOOMs. Avengers at present used for anti-submarine work are to be replaced by Breguet Alizes.Pilot training is also to be taken over by Magister 17OMs equipped for deck-landing. The Max Holste 7527 Broussard (centre right) has been ordered in large numbers for the French forces as a utility aircraft. It is powered by a Pratt and Whitney 450 h.p. engine. Land-based units are not only intended for long-range searchand reconnaissance, but also for anti-submarine patrol either in conjunction with surface vessels or independently. To these unitsmust be added a wide variety of aircraft for training and liaison work and for air/sea rescue duties. In 1954 two squadrons ofhelicopters were put into service. The flotilles are numbered in accordance with their roles, 1 to 9for anti-submarine, 10 to 19 for carrier-borne fighter and 20 to 29 for long-range, land-based squadrons. The escadriUe (squadron)numbers run from 1 to 19 for liaison and reconnaissance, 20 to 29 for helicopters, 30 to 39 for transport and from 50 to 59 fortraining units. Both Mystere II and IVA are in full service with French fighter squadrons. A line of IVAs is here seen at a fighter base.
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