The History of the USS Akron

The USS Akron was one of two large rigid airships that were part of the US Navy's five year aircraft program. The Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation had signed a contract with the Bureau of Aeronautics in 1928 to build this ship. On August 8, 1931, First Lady Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover christened the airship as it was launched. It featured eight Maybach VL2 engines, which were reversible and thus offered a really high degree of maneuverability for something this size.