Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation USS Akron (ZRS-4)
Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation · Flying Aircraft Carrier (Rigid Airship) / Airborne Aircraft Carrier / Naval Scouting · USA · Interwar (1919–1938)
USS Akron was a helium-filled rigid airship of the U.S. Navy, the lead ship of her class, which operated between September 1931 and April 1933. She was the world's first purpose-built flying aircraft carrier, carrying F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes, which could be launched and recovered while in flight. With an overall length of 785 ft (239 m), Akron and her sister ship the Macon were among the largest flying objects ever built. Although LZ 129 Hindenburg and LZ 130 Graf Zeppelin II were some 18 ft (5.5 m) longer and slightly more voluminous, the two German airships were filled with hydrogen, so the two US Navy craft still hold the world record for the largest helium-filled airships.
Specifications
- Category
- Airship
- Sub-Category
- Rigid Airship
- Domain
- Defence
- Era
- Interwar (1919–1938)
- Country
- USA
- Manufacturer
- Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation
- Co-Manufacturer
- Akron; Ohio
- Operator
- US Navy
- Primary Role
- Flying Aircraft Carrier (Rigid Airship) / Airborne Aircraft Carrier / Naval Scouting
- Status
- Destroyed
- Service Entry
- 1931
- Produced
- 1
- Engine
- 8x Maybach VL II inline
- Thrust / Power
- 560 hp each
- Launch
- Ground (shed)
- Length (ft)
- 785
- Wingspan (ft)
- 133
- MTOW (lb)
- 403000
- Endurance (hr)
- 72
- Range (mi)
- 10900
- Max Speed (mph)
- 84
- Armament
- Internal hangar for 4–5 Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk biplane fighters (trapeze launch/recovery)