S.O. 8000 Narval: Germany’s Legacy in French Aviation

In the aftermath of the Second World War, France raced to rebuild its defense industry and restore its former prestige. In the name of speed, officials sometimes green-lit projects that were odd and even controversial — anything to field a “modern” domestic weapon and make up for lost time. That is how the ARL-44 tank, with roots reaching back to rhomboid forebears, entered service. Likewise, the battleship Jean Bart joined the fleet only to serve little more than a decade.