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 sister ship the Macon were among the largest flying objects ever built. The Akron was destroyed in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey killing 73 of the 76 crewmen and passengers. This accident involved the greatest loss of life in an airship crash.
Aerial View of Akron with dirigible “Akron”