Joffre Aircraft Carrier Summary

This is a 3D printed sculpt of the Joffre class aircraft carrier from EBard Models. 

After several experimentations on the aircraft carrier Béarn, the French Navy decided to have two full-fledged aircraft carriers built as replacement to be called the Joffre class.

The Joffre design was novel, with the flight deck offset to port to counterbalance the weight of the unusually large island and is the hallmark identifying characterisitic of the class. Armament included dual-purpose guns fore and aft of the island, and several light anti-aircraft guns. The ships would have been similar to the British Ark Royal, but with a much longer island, fewer aircraft, and one less elevator. 

The ships were to operate an air group of around 40 planes, including 15 Dewoitine D.790 fighters (a navalised version of the Dewoitine D.520) and 25 Breguet 810 twin-engine attack planes (a navalised version of the Breguet 693) for level bombing, torpedo missions and scouting. The twin-engine bomber aircraft is another novel feature of this proposed design.

Joffre was laid down on 26 November 1938 at the shipyards of Ateliers et Chantiers de Saint-Nazaire Penhoët, but work was slowed by the start of World War II, and then ultimately halted in June 1940 when France fell. At this time, the ship was 20% complete, while her sister ship, Painleve, was further behind. Both were later dismantled on their slipways.

Ships of Class:

• Joffre
• Painleve

Each carrier has two strong neodymium rare earth magnets to hold two aircraft. Purchase a loaded carrier with matching magnetized aircraft and never have your airwing fall off a carrier again!



Default magnetic polarity is as shown.



The optional magnetized damage marker makes a great game addition. 

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