Editing USS Akron (section)

===Experimental use as a "flying aircraft carrier"===
[[File:F9C in USS Akron hangar1932.jpg|thumb|right|[[Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk|F9C Sparrowhawk]] in ''Akron''{{'}}s hangar: This aircraft was one of four lost with {{USS|Macon|ZRS-5|6}} on 12 February 1935.]]

''Akron'' and ''Macon'' (which was still under construction) were regarded as potential [[Airborne aircraft carrier|"flying aircraft carrier]]s", carrying [[parasite fighter]]s for reconnaissance. On 3 May 1932, ''Akron'' cruised over the coast of [[New Jersey]] with Rear Admiral [[George C. Day]], and the [[Board of Inspection and Survey]], on board, and for the first time tested the "trapeze" installation for in-flight handling of aircraft. The [[naval aviator|aviator]]s who carried out those historic "landings"—first with a Consolidated [[Fleet Model 1|N2Y]] [[Trainer aircraft|trainer]] and then with the prototype [[Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk|Curtiss XF9C-1 Sparrowhawk]]—were Lieutenant D. Ward Harrigan and Lieutenant Howard L. Young. The following day, ''Akron'' carried out another demonstration flight, this time with members of the [[House Committee on Naval Affairs]] on board; this time, Lieutenants Harrigan and Young gave the lawmakers a demonstration of ''Akron''{{'}}s aircraft hook-on ability.<ref name=rs/>{{rp|55–56}}