Ridiculous History CLASSIC: That Time the US Built a Flying Aircraft Carrier
Aug 17, 2024
Dive into the bizarre world of the USS Akron, a flying aircraft carrier with ambitions beyond its time. Explore the connection between real-life airships and Marvel's Helicarrier, and laugh at the quirks of military innovation. Discover the Akron's unique capabilities, from biplane deployment to midair rescues, and its tragic fate during World War II. The mix of engineering marvels and historical anecdotes paints a vivid picture of aviation's audacious past, blending nostalgia with humor.
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Military Interest In Flying Carriers
- The US Navy seriously pursued the idea of a flying aircraft carrier in the early 20th century.
- They hoped an airship could carry and launch smaller planes anywhere over land or sea.
Akron Built In Akron With Sparrowhawks
- The USS Akron was built at the Goodyear Zeppelin dock in Akron, Ohio starting November 1929.
- It housed nearly 100 crew and was designed to carry tiny F9C Sparrowhawk biplanes using an onboard trapeze system.
Trapeze System For Midair Recovery
- Designers developed a trapeze mechanism to deploy and recover parasite fighters midair.
- Recovery required pilots to hook on, kill their engines, and be hauled back into the airship, leaving little margin for error.