The birth of the Aircraft Carrier (17 photos) Bashny.Net

Heartbreaking story in pictures of the first and the second step of naval aviation aircraft carrier or how to make out the sewing machine Singer and parts from Lego.

Start with:
1. The cruiser USS Birmingham
2. The airplane design Glenn Curtis.
3. Wooden platform.
2. The steam valve.

Actually, that "Birmingham" before this inhuman experiment in the natural form:





It happened on November 14, 1910.

A certain official from the Ministry of the Navy saw the show at the circus in Belmont (New York) airplane running Eugene Ely was shaken suddenly in the autumn of his idea: what happens when you cross a horse and quivering doe?

Told to do - for the project it was knocked grant and work started. On the "Birmingham" loaded platform and the airplane itself (ship visible in the background):



Front view:



The main thing that did not fall, because the platform is crooked!



Why not bias the platform back and forth - is unclear, but the USA is more visible to the Ministry of the Sea:





Mr. Ely said, "Let's go!" And waved!





What is most interesting, the daring experience was quite successful: the airplane crashed and drowned (although the water at the start and hooked), and flew as much as two miles stayed in the air for five minutes.

A few months later (18 January 1911) it was decided to continue. For experiments at this time have a bigger ship - the Pacific Fleet cruiser "Pennsylvania." Past mistakes and take into account the flight deck made bigger and longer, and found not on the bow and the stern.

As expected, everything turned out well: first, Eli, starting from the shore, landed on the flight deck of "Pennsylvania", and then took off with it.















Well, of course, these powerful women then shouted "Hurrah!" And throwing caps into the air. Here and there were aircraft carriers.





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