The U.S. Navy’s Flying Aircraft Carrier Mistake Still Stings

The U.S. Navy’s Flying Aircraft Carrier Mistake Still Stings

Article Summary – In the interwar years, the U.S. Navy tried a radical idea: turn giant rigid airships into “flying aircraft carriers.” USS Akron and USS Macon carried Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk biplanes on a retractable trapeze, using them for scouting and potential attacks far out at sea. USS Intrepid Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier. Image Credit: National Security Journal. -The helium-filled giants had long range and onboard hangars, but they were …