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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Photo # NH 81901:  French aircraft carrier La Fayette, September 1951

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- SHIPS of the FRENCH NAVY --

La Fayette (Aircraft Carrier, Pennant Number R-96), 1951-1963

La Fayette, an 11,000-ton aircraft carrier, was originally the USS Langley (CVL-27). Built in 1943 and placed in reserve after World War II, she was reactivated and transferred to France in 1951, subsequently participating in combat operations off Indo-China. She also took part in the brief 1956 Suez war with Egypt. La Fayette was returned to United States in 1963 and scrapped.

This page features views of the French aircraft carrier La Fayette.

For other photographs of this ship, taken prior to her transfer to the French Navy, see:

  • USS Langley (CVL-27).

    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 81901

    French Aircraft Carrier La Fayette

    (formerly USS Langley, CVL-27)

    Photographed 11 September 1951, probably at Toulon, France.

    Courtesy of Captain H.H. Smith-Hutton, USN (Retired), via Captain Paul B. Ryan, USN, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 79384

    French Aircraft Carrier La Fayette

    (formerly USS Langley, CVL-27)

    In Indo-china waters, 1953.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 79383

    Nha Trang, Vietnam


    French warships off Nha Trang during Operation "Meknes and Atlas", 15-19 April 1953.
    The carrier La Fayette is at right. Colonial sloop in center may be Savorgnan de Brazza. The two aircraft tenders at left are Paul Goffeny and Commandant Robert Giraud.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 58KB; 740 x 520 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-429464

    La Fayette

    (French Aircraft Carrier, ex-USS Langley, CVL-27)

    Raising of the French national flag, as the ship was formally transferred to France in ceremonies at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania, 2 June 1951.
    Note U.S. Navy bandsmen in the center foreground.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 590 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 81902

    French Aircraft Carrier La Fayette

    (formerly USS Langley, CVL-27)

    Ceremonies on board, at Toulon, France, 11 September 1951, commemorating her entry into service after she was transferred to the French Navy by the U.S. Navy.
    Among those present:
    Vice Admiral Nomy (at microphone), Chief of French Naval General Staff;
    In Whites, behind VAdm. Nomy (right to left): Captain Rieu; Vice Admiral Pothnau, Commander, French Fleet; Vice Admiral Jozan, Commander, Carriers; and Vice Admiral Sala, Prefet Maritime, Toulon.
    Officers in Blues are: Captain H.H. Smith-Hutton, USN, Naval Attache; Rear Admiral Peries, French Navy, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air; Captain Kaufmann, USN; Commander Sannoner and two aides.

    Courtesy of Captain H.H. Smith-Hutton, USN (Retired), via Captain Paul B. Ryan, USN, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 570 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 81904

    French Aircraft Carrier La Fayette

    (formerly USS Langley, CVL-27)

    Ceremonies on board, at Toulon, France, 11 September 1951, commemorating her entry into service after she was transferred to the French Navy by the U.S. Navy.
    Those present, in foreground, are : Vice Admiral Pothnau (in Whites), Commanding French seagoing forces; Rear Admiral Peries (in Blues), Deputy Chief of Staff for French Naval Air; Vice Admiral Sala, Prefet Maritime, Toulon; Captain H.H. Smith-Hutton, USN, Naval Attache; and Captain Kaufmann, USN, (partially hidden).

    Courtesy of Captain H.H. Smith-Hutton, USN (Retired), via Captain Paul B. Ryan, USN, 1975.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 92501

    French Aircraft Carrier La Fayette

    (formerly USS Langley, CVL-27)

    Prepares to Launch a French Navy TBM-3E "Avenger" (USN Bureau # 85684) from her starboard catapult, during the 1950s.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 620 pixels

     

    For other photographs of this ship, taken prior to her transfer to the French Navy, see:

  • USS Langley (CVL-27).


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 30 December 2000
    Coding updated 13 April 2001