Pacific Aerial Surveys- Historic Airships Gallery

The USS Akron (ZRS-4) based in Lakehurst, NJ and the USS Macon (ZRS-5) based in Sunnyvale, CA were helium filled rigid airships developed by the Goodyear-Zepplin Company (a joint venture of the Zepplin Company of Germany and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) for the United States Navy. The airships were designed for coastal patrol and had the ability to carry and launch five small biplanes.

Read Clyde Sunderland's account of photographing the USS Akron in 1932.

Approaching Moffett Field at NAS Sunnyvale
view detail	Date:	October 15, 1933
	Photographer:	Clyde Sunderland
	Description:	The USS Macon (ZRS-5) floats above NAS Sunnyvale, now Moffett Field. This photo shows the mooring mast, the mooring out circle, and the tracks leading to the massive wooden Hanger One.
	Number:	ADN-167

USS Macon at the Mooring Mast
view detail	Date:	October 15, 1933
	Photographer:	Clyde Sunderland
	Description:	Docking the airship included attaching the nose to the mooring mast, the tail to a gondola (both riding on rails), then driving the craft into its massive Hanger One.
	Number:	ADN-139E

USS Akron over San Francisco Civic Center
view detail	Date:	May 13, 1932
	Photographer:	Clyde Sunderland
	Description:	The USS Akron (ZRS-4) a sister ship to the Macon, made a visit to the West Coast from it's home port of Lakehurst, NJ.
	Number:	ADN-104

USS Macon Arriving at NAS Sunnyvale
view detail	Date:	October 15, 1933
	Photographer:	Clyde Sunderland
	Description:	Thousands of spectators watched as the USS Macon arrives at her new home, Moffett Field, following a transcontinental journey from Lakehurst, NJ.
	Number:	ADN-127

Launching the Sparrowhawk Airplane
view detail	Date:	Unknown
	Photographer:	Clyde Sunderland
	Description:	The airships held five small planes that were launched and retrieved by a hook on the aircraft and a bar known as the trapeze. This view is of the USS Macon.
	Number:	ADN-151