Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast Episode 391 - The US Navy's Flying Aircraft Carriers ft. Dr. Patrick Wyman
Dec 8, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Patrick Wyman, a historian and podcast host known for Past Lives and Tides of History, dives into the intriguing world of the US Navy's attempt to create flying aircraft carriers. He shares the story of the ill-fated Akron and Macon airships, highlighting the challenges of airborne operations and fantastical design concepts. Listeners will learn about helium hazards and tragic outcomes, along with the cultural phenomenon of airships in the 1930s. Ultimately, Wyman explains why these colossal airships became a cautionary tale in military history.
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Episode notes
Airships Filled A 1930s Technical And Cultural Gap
- In the 1930s rigid airships looked like a practical long-range solution when airplanes were unreliable and slow.
- Public fascination and aesthetics helped fuel military and commercial investment in airship programs.
Airships As Cheap Pacific Scouts
- The U.S. chose airships to patrol the vast Pacific because they were cheaper and quicker to build than ships.
- Airships required far fewer crew and promised extended scouting reach above ocean expanses.
Shenandoah's Grand Debut And Fragility
- The USS Shenandoah flew in 1923 after massive construction and public demonstrations across cities.
- Its size forced daily repairs and awkward ground handling that highlighted early program logistics failures.
