43336.
32738. Close View, from within Framework, of Supporting Girders of ZRS-4 (U.S.S. Akron). Without Stereoscopic Effect.
U.S.S. Akron
USS Akron (ZRS-4) was a helium-filled rigid airship of the U.S. Navy 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 she was in flight. With an overall length of 785 ft (239 m), Akron and her sister ship 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 US Navy craft still hold the world record for helium-filled airships.
Akron was destroyed in a thunderstorm off the coast of New Jersey on the morning of 4 April 1933, killing 73 of the 76 crewmen and passengers. This accident involved the greatest loss of life in any airship crash up until that date.
43337.
32738. Close View, from within Framework, of Supporting Girders of ZRS-4 (U.S.S. Akron). With Stereoscopic Effect.
43338.
32739. Nose of Framework of ZRS-4 (U.S.S. Akron) from inside the Hangar.
43339.
32740. Inside the Framework of ZRS-4 (U.S.S. Akron), during Construction, Akron, Ohio.
43340.
32744. Bow of ZRS-4, the Akron, through Dock Door, Akron, Ohio.
43341.
32745. A Bow view of the Zeppelin Akron Showing the Outer Covering, Akron, Ohio.
43342.
32763. As our Photographer saw the Akron, the ZRS-4 on July 29, just Eleven Days before it will be Launched.
43343.
32766. Mrs. Hoover Christens the Akron, the Largest Airship in the World, at Akron, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1931.
43344.
32766. Mrs. Hoover Christens the Akron, the Largest Airship in the World, at Akron, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1931.
43345.
32771. The Maiden Flight of the Largest Dirigible Ever Built, the U.S.S. Akron, Sept. 23, 1931.
43416.
1. Pres. Litchfield and Rear Admiral Moffat. Ring Laying, U.S.S. Akron, Nov. 7, 1929.
43417.
3. Rear Admiral Moffat and Mayor Weil, U.S.S. Akron Ring Laying.
43418.
4. Rear Admiral Moffat Driving Golden Rivet in First Main Frame of U.S.S. Akron, Nov. 7, 1929.
43419.
5. Application of Outer Cover to U.S.S. Akron.
43421.
7. Interior View of Hull Structure, U.S.S. Akron.
43422.
8. Supports for Frame Work of U.S.S. Akron.
43423.
9. General View of the Akron on Day of Christening.
43424.
10. Port Power Plants of the Akron.
43425.
13. Aft View of Control Car with Ladder down, U.S.S. Akron.
43426.
16. 150,000 attend Christening Ceremonies of U.S.S. Akron, Aug. 8, 1931.
43427.
17. Asst. Sec. David S. Ingalls speaking at Christening of the Akron.
43428.
18. Rear Admiral Moffat speaking at Christening of the Akron.
43429.
19. Pres. P.W. Litchfield of Goodyear speaking; Christening the U.S.S. Akron, Aug. 8, 1931.
43430.
22. Ready to Launch the Akron on Mooring Mast in Goodyear-Zeppelin Dock.
43435.
31. U.S.S. Akron and Dock just prior to Launching.
43436.
33. U.S.S. Akron at Mooring Mast awaiting her first “Up Ship” Order.
43437.
35. Dr. Karl Arnstein, the Akron’s Designer, and Dr. Wolfgang Klemperer of G-Z Corp., in Control Car.
43438.
36. “Up Ship:” The Akron takes to the Air for the first time, Sept, 23, 1931.
43439.
37. U.S.S. Akron flirts with the Clouds on her maiden Flight.