As the US Navy’s newly built USS Akron flys overhead, the Akron Municipal Airport and its distinctive architecture stand proudly below in this vintage Akron Postcard. Opening in 1929, the Akron Municipal Airport at one point was a U.S. naval air station, known as Naval Air Station Akron. Today the airport is known as the…
Men at work on duralumin framework of U.S.S. Akron – ZRS-4, the world’s largest airship. From Framework to Flight On October 31, 1929 construction of the Akron began inside the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation dock at Akron, Ohio. On November 2, 1931, she left the dock on her maiden voyage as a commissioned “ship” of the U.S. Navy.…
The YMCA building was constructed to give people a place to eat, stay for short or long terms, and worship.The highrise was originally constructed with an indoor pool which is still in use. The main part of the building was used as living/housing space.
USS Akron flys proudly over the Goodyear plant. She was the world’s first purpose-built flying aircraft carrier, carrying F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes which could be launched and recovered while she was in flight. The Goodyear company is named after American Charles Goodyear, inventor of vulcanized rubber. The first Goodyear factory opened in Akron, Ohio, in…
First Flying Aircraft Carrier Between September 1931 and April 1933 the Navy’s USS Akron (ZRS-4) sailed the skies. She was the world’s first purpose-built flying aircraft carrier. Tucked neatly inside her massive body were F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes which could be launched and recovered while the airship was in flight. Largest Flying Object With an overall length of 785 ft (239 m), the Akron and her…
Building Airship ZRS-4 Construction of Airship ZRS-4 began on October 31, 1929 at the Goodyear-Zeppelin Airdock. wish was a purpose-built hanger for the construction of these massive airships. On November 7 that year, Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, the Chief of the U.S. Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics, drove the “golden rivet” in the ship’s first main ring. Erection of the hull sections began…
ZRS-4 Built in Akron, Ohio, The United States Navy airships U.S.S. Akron – ZRS-4 and U.S.S. Macon – ZRS-5 were among the largest airships ever built. Each ship was designed as a long-range scouting platform for use in Naval fleet operation. The helium-filled airships each carried F9C-2 Curtiss Sparrowhawk biplanes which could be launched and…
Planned as the finest YMCA in Ohio, the 16-story Art Deco building opened to the public in 1931.
Mistaken Identity The airship featured on this vintage Akron postcard was not the USS Akron ZRS-4. Pictured here is most likely the USS Los Angeles. Misidentifying these airships was not a one time an artist made this ][mistake. On another popular postcard of the day, the USS Los Angeles is shown flying over Washington D.C., but she was…