French Naval Aviation

The long-form official designation is Force maritime de l'aéronautique navale.

Born as a fusion of aircraft carrier squadrons and the naval patrol air force, the Aéronavale was created in 1912.

It operates from four airbases in Metropolitan France and several detachments in foreign countries or French overseas territories.

Immediately after the end of World War II, the Aeronavale only had Supermarine Seafire Mk.III (Flottille 1F) and Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers (Flotilles 3F et 4F).

Operationally the French Naval Aviation has four components: Operational squadrons are known as Flottilles and normally consist of 12 aircraft : Shore-based training and transport squadrons are known as Escadrilles de Servitude : This is a list of retired aircraft that have flown with French Naval Aviation.

Naval Ensign of France
Naval Ensign of France
Active bases of the French naval air arm (status 2013)
From 1951 to 1956, 164 Grumman Avengers were delivered to French Naval Aviation and in service until 1965
The Corsair F4U-7 was the first new aircraft delivered to the French Navy after 1945. It saw action during the Indochina war, Algerian war and operation Musketeer.
The Martin P5M-2 Marlin served in the French navy between 1959 and 1964.
During the Algerian War of independence, the French Navy flew Lockheed Neptunes on surveillance patrol to fight weapons smuggling by sea
The Crusader was the air superiority jet aircraft of the French Navy for 35 years
The Canard Voisin was the first seaplane used by the French Navy