The Le Normand class (or E52 Type) was a class of 14 fast frigates (Escorteurs Rapide) built for the French Navy in the late 1950s. They were an immediate follow-on from the earlier (or E50 type) frigates, and like them, were long-range convoy escorts capable of high speed. The first seven ships, paid for by the United States under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act were ordered in 1952. The remaining seven ships were paid for by France and ordered between 1953 and 1955.

Design The E52 type shared a flush-decked layout with the E50 class, and had a similar armament of three twin 57 mm turrets) (one forward and two aft) and an anti-submarine armament consisting of a battery of heavyweight guided torpedoes and a 375 mm Bofors six-barrel rocket launcher. The major difference was the layout of the armament, with the torpedo tubes moving from forwards to amidships, and the Bofors launcher moving from amidships to forward of the bow gun, thus reducing topweight and improving the arc of fire for the Bofors launcher.

The last three ships were completed as a modified version, the Type E52B. This replaced the amidships turret and the Bofors rocket launcher with a new 305 mm anti-submarine mortar mounted amidships. Two more of this type were ordered in 1957, but were cancelled owing to financial problems.Blackman 1962, p.88.

Ships Pennant Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned FateF 765Le NormandF C de la MéditerranéJuly 195313 February 19543 November 1956Stricken 1980F 766Le PicardA C de la LoireNovember 195331 May 195420 September 1956Stricken 1979F 767Le GasconA C de la LoireFebruary 195423 October 195429 March 1957Stricken 1977F 768Le LorrainF C de la MéditerranéeFebruary 195419 June 19541 January 1957Broken Up 1981F 769Le BourguignonAteliers et Chantiers de PenhoëtJanuary 195428 January 195611 July 1957Stricken 1976F 770Le ChampenoisA C de la LoireMay 195412 March 19551 June 1957Stricken 1975F 771Le SavoyardF C de la MéditerranéeNovember 19537 May 195514 June 1956Stricken 1980F 772Le BretonArsenal de LorientJune 19542 April 195520 August 1957Stricken 1977F 773Le BasqueArsenal de LorientDecember 195425 February 195618 October 1957Stricken 1980F 774L'AgenaisArsenal de LorientAugust 195523 June 195614 May 1958Stricken 1985F 775Le BearnaisArsenal de LorientDecember 195523 June 195614 October 1958Stricken 1980F 776L'AlsacienArsenal de LorientJuly 195626 January 195727 August 1960Stricken 1981F 777Le ProvençalArsenal de LorientFebruary 19575 October 19576 November 1960Stricken 1980F 778Le VendeenF C de la MéditerranéeMarch 195727 July 19571 October 1960Stricken 1981

See also List of Escorteurs of the French Navy

Notes

References

External links Description générale des escorteurs