Colbert

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Colbert C611

Photos courtesy of Bruno Gire

The Colbert is the only postwar designed French cruiser. She was built in 1956 and decommissioned after the Gulf War (where she was the French task-force flagship). Originally designed as a full AA cruiser (an equivalent of the US Worcester class), she was extensively converted in 1973-75 to become a guided missile cruiser, with a full load of Masurca anti-aircraft long range and Exocet anti ship missiles

This walkaround will display about 60 exterior and 20 interior views of the 10,000t cruiser. Each picture shows details for modelers, especially for those who want to convert the 1/400 plastic Heller kit, which depicts this cruiser in her original (AA) state.

The Colbert (C611) is near the historic center of Bordeaux, France. The cruiser is a floating museum. Public can see forecastle, main and stern decks, part of upper deck, bridge structure, aft (port) engine and boiler room, Masurca anti aircraft missile ready room during a 3+ hours tour.

Starboard bow: note the hull knuckle forward (a British influence?). The single round porthole just below navigation bridge is the helmsman porthole.

General portside: the Colbert, as seen from the other side of the Garonne river. Bordeaux historic waterfront in the background. Note the view showing the three port twin 57mm/60cal AA turrets which were retained from the earlier AA cruiser configuration. This postwar (1951) turret, based on a Bofors design, was fitted aboard 50's DD and DE. Also note, the helo platform (none was carried permanently aboard)


Bow view	Rear of bridge with Foremast	Foremast	Masurca magazine loading hatches : Just behind the white-red plastic chain one can see the two missile loading hatches through which the disassembled Masurca are loaded into the ship.

Masurca loading hatches Note the two Masurca DRBR51 directors have been removed and kept as spare parts for existing systems (on Suffren and Duquesne).

Masurca ramp and port propeller: a view of the brass port propeller.

Masurca ramp: sited on the after deck. Originally, this was to be fitted on the Jeanne d'Arc helicopter carrier, but this was cancelled and the Colbert inherited the whole equipment. The Duquesne and Suffren large frigates also carried the Masurca system.

Masurca ramp and hatches : forward of the ramp one can see the armored loading hatches. When loading, a rail projects through the hatch up to the ramp.


Exocet ramp - this is a typical Exocet installation. Missiles are sealed in plastic containers which are blown open just before launch, ensuring best protection against sea air. Note the complex supporting structure under the Exocet canisters. Blast deflectors can be seen behind each canister.

Bridge port side : Port aisle of navigation bridge. In the background is the city of Bordeaux (pop c. 500,000), with the two cathedrals surrounding the 18th Century river front. This curb of the Garonne river is called "Port de la Lune" ("Moonport") and is about 110km from the open sea. "Bordeaux" comes from "Bord de l'eau" ("front of water")

Bridge rear upper platform : view from the rear side of the bridge looking aft at the funnel and masts.

The navigation bridge front above the helmsman station. The wheel can be seen from the navigation bridge.

Helmsman station : The helm is located in a small transverse passage, forward, about 40cm below and open to the navigating bridge, the floor of which can be just seen at right. At left is the single helmsman porthole. The navigation bridge has a whole rank of windows just above the helm (see also bow picture)

The whole bridge looks rather spacious


Admiral's bridge: located one deck below navigation bridge (the lower rank of windows in the bow view)	Combat Information Center : a view of the rather large CIC which is located just aft of the navigation bridge (out of the armoured box). Electronic equipment is not original but rather "generic".

Masurca assembly and check room: looking from port to starboard at the entrance of missile ready room. Here a (dummy) Masurca first stage is been prepared on its special trailer. In the background the second stage can be seen.

Looking to the left of former picture. Masurca (MAine SURface Contre Avion) is the French designed equivalent of the Terrier.

The starboard trailer is aimed aft at both the magazine room and hatches to the launch ramp

The port tunnel aft to the magazine room/ launch hatch.

Looking forward at the missile two stages. First stage is 406mm in diameter, a little more than the Terrier.

Masurca missile above port magazine: an assembled Masurca missile on its ramp loading rail. Just below is the open "ready to fire" magazine. At 840kg, 5.408m long and 29 mile range, the Masurca is slightly larger than the Terrier BT3. It was built by Matra.


50mm protected deck hatch : a typical armored hatch in the main passageway, through the 50mm deck		57AA turret ready room : this is the ammunition ready room, just under the automatic 57mm AA twin turret. The central column carries ammunition hoist and electrical wiring. An intermediate magazine is around the compartment. A shell with casing can be seen. A larger magazine is located decks below and ammunition are hoisted (see hoist picture)


Aft (port) ER aux generator : one of two auxilliary generators, this one located starboard of the after engine room (which drives the port propeller)	Aft boiler room : Boilers front walls of the two units located in the after boiler/engine room. Aboard Colbert, each machine compartment holds two boilers (arranged accross the ship), a turbine group and one aux generator.	Aft BR control panel : a composite view of the boilers control panel.


Aft engine room : a view to the rear port of compartment, showing low pressure turbine (grey cover) and reduction gear (white cover) for the port shaft.	Aft ER control panel : Turbines control panel.


Aft ER escape ladder : typical escape way from after engine room.	Aft ER port mid pressure : looking forward with cruising turbine in foreground, mid pressure turbine behind.	Aft ER port reduction gear : reduction gear main stage (cover open)


Aft ER reduction gear casing : reduction gear casing for port shaft.	Aft ER port shaft head : Port shaft thrust block	Aft ER port turbine and reduction gear : looking forward to the (white) reduction gear and (grey) low pressure turbine.


Crew bathroom: typical crew accomodation, 50's style.	Crew berthing : typical crew berthing