The Colossus class, which was built after loss of several aircraft carriers at the beginning of the war, consisted of units with smaller tonnage than those of  the newer, straight activated Illustrious class carriers. In accordance with the standards manufactured, protected only with light  middle calibre guns and relatively slow, the ships of this class were however capable of  taking  a squadron of Corsair IV fighters consisting of a torpedo bomber a Fairey Barracuda II all on board.. The ten built units, which came too late to the Pacific, in order to participate in the end of the Second World War, proved however so durable and economical that six of them served for a long time in several foreign engagements. The Brazilian Minos Gerois possesses the record with fifty-three years in service. In March 1945 in service Colossus only remained in the Royal Navy, renamed Arromanches and acquired in 1951  by France. In its first service years in the "Royal" transport in the escort duty between France and Indochina, since its employment was not permitted as operational aircraft carriers due to its affiliation to the Royal Navy of Great Britain. After removal of this obstacle by its final purchase it became particularly active in the fifties around the coasts of the Indochina