The Dawn Of The Navy Aircraft Carrier. Courage + Beauty
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Published 2024-06-24
American naval aviation had its roots in several key locations, including Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, which became
the primary training base for naval aviators. The U.S. Navy began experimenting with aviation during World War I. The need for reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, and other maritime operations underscored the potential of aircraft in naval warfare.
Aircraft provided a significant advantage in reconnaissance and surveillance, which were critical for naval operations. The threat of submarines, which had been a significant concern during World War I, highlighted the need for aircraft that could patrol and detect enemy submarines. Aircraft extended the reach of the Navy, allowing for greater flexibility and effectiveness in projecting power. The rapid advancements in aviation technology during World War I demonstrated the potential of aircraft in military operations, prompting the Navy to invest in this new domain.
After World War I the Navy focused on developing its aviation capabilities. This included the establishment of dedicated naval air stations and training programs for naval aviators. The Naval Aircraft Factory (NAF) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, played a crucial role in the design and production of naval aircraft.
The first aircraft carrier built in 1920 in the USA was the USS Langley. It was converted from a collier, the USS Jupiter, into the Navy's first aircraft carrier. The conversion took place at the Norfolk Navy Yard, transforming the ship into an experimental platform for naval aviation. The ship was equipped with a wooden flight deck that allowed for takeoffs and landings.
On October 17, 1922, Lieutenant Virgil C. Griffin made the first takeoff from the USS Langley in a Vought VE-7-SF biplane. The ship served as a platform for developing carrier operating techniques, including catapult launches and arrested landings.
The USS Langley played a crucial role in training naval aviators and refining the tactics and techniques of carrier operations. The lessons learned from the USS Langley paved the way for the development of subsequent, more advanced aircraft carriers.
The Langley’s contributions to the development of carrier aviation were instrumental in establishing the U.S. Navy's dominance in this area during World War II in the war for the pacific.
The early development of American naval aviation and the story of the USS Langley highlight the innovative spirit and strategic foresight that characterized the Navy's approach to integrating aircraft into its operations. These early efforts laid the foundation for the powerful carrier strike groups that would become a cornerstone of American naval power in the 20th and 21st centuries.
All Comments (11)
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Fantastic history, Mr. Hoffman. Thank you not only for posting this, but for creating it in the first place.
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My dear one, David Hoffman, an extradinary documentarian of 8 millimeter film with history of significance and music. 🙏❤️🌎🌏🌍🌿🕊🎵🎶🎵
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Keep up the great work, Mr. David! I love all your videos and I also really love and enjoy your daily posts. I'm only 36 but I grew up and was partly raised by my grand parents and I always loved all the stories they would tell me about how things were when they were young and growing up. Sadly, my grandfather passed away some years ago but my grandmother (I call her Mamaw) is 92 and it's STILL so interesting hearing her talk about how things were when she was growing up! It's such a service you are doing by preserving and sharing old/older videos/film/media from times past. You are a great film maker but also a great source of knowledge, experience and advice. Again, please keep up the good work and know that you are appreciated and looked up to. Thank you so much again, Mr. Hoffman. Hope you have a great day!
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Very interesting history! That Japanese army guy turned out to be right, as WWII came to be. Thanks, David. ❤️
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Well done, David I have seen your full documentary on The History of American Naval Aviation. Isoroku Yamamoto from the little that I have seen on his life was an interesting man. 😊
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great video ☝️❤️🙏 history is very important.. important we don’t forget ….. 🎤🐥
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Much respect to them. Great history of world war 1, and near 2 era. Thanks David for sharing this phenomenal video. I love learning about all the history in different cultures, places, and etc. Have a wonderful morning.
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The last story about Yamamoto slipping Tojo out his chair is a pretty wild story I didn't know. Also wild you are friends with the iconic 80's narrator voice guy. Great stuff!
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I live for this stuff. I'm not a big military guy, but I fucking love origin stories. So the whole "Hey, wanna know the story of how the aircraft carrier was invented?" I'm like "You bet your ASS I do!" And I really miss talking head guys who are dead-serious encyclopedias of obscure information who can communicate concisely and accurately. That Yamamoto-Tojo story deserves it's own short film.
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do you do collabes?
