09.05.2009, 03:23
USS Akron (ZRS-4)
Name: USS Akron
Ordered: 6 October 1928
Laid down: 31 October 1929
Launched: 8 August 1931
Commissioned: 27 October 1931
Maiden voyage: 23 September 1931
Fate: Crashed in severe weather on 4 April 1933
General characteristics
Tonnage: 221,000 pounds (100 t)
Length: 785 feet (239 m)
Beam: 132.5 feet (40.4 m) (diameter)
Height: 152.5 feet (46.5 m)
Propulsion: Eight 560 horsepower (420 kW) gasoline-powered engines mounted internally.
Speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) cruising
72 knots (133 km/h; 83 mph) maximum
Range: 10,580 nautical miles (19,590 km; 12,180 mi)
Capacity: Useful load
182,000 pounds (83 t)
Volume
6,500,000 cubic feet (184,000 m3)
Complement: 89 officers and men
Armament: seven machine guns
Aircraft carried: four aircraft
For information on the 1911 airship constructed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, also called the Akron, see Melvin Vaniman.
USS Akron (ZRS-4) was a rigid helium-filled airship of the United States Navy that crashed off the New Jersey coast early on 4 April 1933, killing 73 crew and passengers. During its brief, accident-prone term of service, the airship also served as a flying aircraft carrier, launching Sparrowhawk biplanes.
At 785 feet (239 m) long, 20 ft (6 m) shorter than the Hindenburg, she and her sister, Macon (ZRS-5), were amongst the largest flying objects in the world. Although the Hindenburg was longer, the two airships still hold the world record for helium-filled airships.
Construction and commissioning
Construction of the ZRS-4 commenced on 31 October 1929, at the Goodyear Airdock in Akron, Ohio by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. On 7 November 1931, Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, drove the "golden rivet" in the ship's main ring. Erection of the actual hull sections began in March 1930. On 10 May, Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams chose the name Akron and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ernest Lee Jahncke announced it four days later, on 14 May 1930.
Once completed the Akron could store 20,000 US gallons (76,000 L) of gasoline, which gave it a range of 10,500 miles (16,900 km). Eight gasoline powered engines were mounted inside the hull. Each engine turned one twin-bladed propeller via a driveshaft which allowed the propeller to swivel vertically and horizontally.
On 8 August 1931, Akron was launched (floated free of the hangar floor) and christened by Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover, the wife of the President of the United States, Herbert Clark Hoover. Akron conducted her maiden flight on the afternoon of 23 September, around the Cleveland, Ohio, area, with Secretary of the Navy Adams and Rear Admiral Moffett embarked. She made eight more flights
Name: USS Akron
Ordered: 6 October 1928
Laid down: 31 October 1929
Launched: 8 August 1931
Commissioned: 27 October 1931
Maiden voyage: 23 September 1931
Fate: Crashed in severe weather on 4 April 1933
General characteristics
Tonnage: 221,000 pounds (100 t)
Length: 785 feet (239 m)
Beam: 132.5 feet (40.4 m) (diameter)
Height: 152.5 feet (46.5 m)
Propulsion: Eight 560 horsepower (420 kW) gasoline-powered engines mounted internally.
Speed: 50 knots (93 km/h; 58 mph) cruising
72 knots (133 km/h; 83 mph) maximum
Range: 10,580 nautical miles (19,590 km; 12,180 mi)
Capacity: Useful load
182,000 pounds (83 t)
Volume
6,500,000 cubic feet (184,000 m3)
Complement: 89 officers and men
Armament: seven machine guns
Aircraft carried: four aircraft
For information on the 1911 airship constructed by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, also called the Akron, see Melvin Vaniman.
USS Akron (ZRS-4) was a rigid helium-filled airship of the United States Navy that crashed off the New Jersey coast early on 4 April 1933, killing 73 crew and passengers. During its brief, accident-prone term of service, the airship also served as a flying aircraft carrier, launching Sparrowhawk biplanes.
At 785 feet (239 m) long, 20 ft (6 m) shorter than the Hindenburg, she and her sister, Macon (ZRS-5), were amongst the largest flying objects in the world. Although the Hindenburg was longer, the two airships still hold the world record for helium-filled airships.
Construction and commissioning
Construction of the ZRS-4 commenced on 31 October 1929, at the Goodyear Airdock in Akron, Ohio by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. On 7 November 1931, Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, drove the "golden rivet" in the ship's main ring. Erection of the actual hull sections began in March 1930. On 10 May, Secretary of the Navy Charles Francis Adams chose the name Akron and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Ernest Lee Jahncke announced it four days later, on 14 May 1930.
Once completed the Akron could store 20,000 US gallons (76,000 L) of gasoline, which gave it a range of 10,500 miles (16,900 km). Eight gasoline powered engines were mounted inside the hull. Each engine turned one twin-bladed propeller via a driveshaft which allowed the propeller to swivel vertically and horizontally.
On 8 August 1931, Akron was launched (floated free of the hangar floor) and christened by Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover, the wife of the President of the United States, Herbert Clark Hoover. Akron conducted her maiden flight on the afternoon of 23 September, around the Cleveland, Ohio, area, with Secretary of the Navy Adams and Rear Admiral Moffett embarked. She made eight more flights
