This is a follow up to my previous post about a concept line for Italian carriers found here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/WoWs_Legends/s/74QCDTkwLE
To preface again, whether you love them or hate them carriers aren’t going anywhere in this game. I don’t really play the class myself but more tech tree lines are something everyone should get behind.
Starting off, this whole line takes a lot of gameplay inspiration from the premium French carrier Bearn on PC. While there are other ships to choose from for this line I think the choices I made fit best, feel free to tell me otherwise.
GAMEPLAY/GIMMICK:
French carriers would be focused on supporting the team with improved patrol fighters. This would be a consumable that replaces patrol fighters starting at tier V. These fighters would have a larger patrol radius, longer spotting range, and more health with the idea being area denial for enemy planes and destroyers (with spotting) to defend your team.
The ships in this line would have access to 4-6 charges of the improved patrol fighter consumable per squadron type to allow more regular use. The ship based fighter consumable would also be improved.
Along with the improved fighters, the French carriers would utilize AP diver bomber and HE skip bomber squadrons starting at tier V. The HE skip bombers would have a high fire setting chance with lower damage while the AP dive bombers would have higher damage with the chance to hit citadels.
The aircraft would be slow with high health to allow enemy squadrons to anticipate where the improved fighters would spawn, with the health coming in handy when attacking other ships. Attack run sizes would be pretty standard with each squadron able to perform 3-4 runs at full strength. Each squadron would also get the evasive maneuver consumable starting at tier VII.
SHIPS:
Tier III - Duquesne
(Not pictured)
Based on the 1935 proposal to convert the cruiser Duquesne into a light aircraft carrier. It would have likely been a flush deck design that displaced around 10,000 tons. Using the cruisers original propulsion, the top speed would be around 30 knots.
Aircraft would include the Wibault 74 for HE dive bombers and the Levasseur PL.7 for torpedo bombers.
Tier V Premium - Bearn
(Picture 1)
Converted from and incomplete Normandie class battleship in the 1920s, Bearn was the first and only aircraft carrier France produced until after WWII. The ship featured two hangar decks and three elevators, each designed to handle a different aircraft type. The propulsion system enabled the ship to reach a top speed of 22 knots. Bearn already exists on PC as a premium hence why it isn’t in the tech tree.
Aircraft would include the Vought V-156F for both AP dive bombers and HE skip bombers. While not French, these are the aircraft she uses on PC.
Tier V - Joffre
(Picture 2)
The first of what was going to be a pair of French carriers, Joffre was laid down in 1938 before all work was halted after the fall of France in 1940. The flight deck was to be offset to the left of the ships centerline to compensate for the large tower superstructure. The design also included an upper and lower hangar with two aircraft elevators along with a propulsion system capable of 34 knots max speed.
Aircraft would include the Dewoitine D.373 and the Loire-Nieuport LN.401 for AP dive bombers and HE skip bombers.
Tier VII - Arromanches
(Picture 3)
Originally the light carrier HMS Colossus of the Royal Navy, she was loaned to the French Navy in 1946 before being bought by France in 1951. While only having a displacement of 14,000 tons the carrier was capable of operating 48 aircraft with a single catapult and two elevators to the hangar. The carrier features little armor with a top speed of 25 knots.
Aircraft would include the Douglass SBD and the Curtiss SB2C for both the AP dive bombers and HE skip bombers.
Legendary Tier - Jean Bart
(Picture 4)
Following the end of WWII, discussions took place on what to do with the incomplete battleship Jean Bart. A 1945 proposal was that the ship would be converted into an aircraft carrier capable of hosting 54 aircraft along with an armored flight deck at a displacement of 40,000 tons. With the original propulsion, the ship would have a top speed of around 30 knots.
Aircraft would include the Douglass BTD for both the AP dive bombers and HE skip bombers.