USS Langley - Guide 172

The USS Langley, the US Navy's first aircraft carrier, is today's subject.
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[@Drachinifel]

Pinned post for Q&A :)

[@testfortester7131]

Could you explain what this foam is 0:22 in the intro that flies out when the gun fires?

[@EstonianShark]

@@testfortester7131 I think that is fabric being ripped due to the shockwave?

[@bt426]

Top 10 Ships in World of Warships that you think you would and like convert to a carrier. Rules: 1. No RUSSIAN paper ships or ships that wasn't completed by 1950. 2. No ships that already have conversion to carrier in the game or in real life (aka no Shinano, Independence, etc.) 3. Using technology from 1945. Also keep up the great work!

[@joshbarnes3692]

If the other two Yorktown carriers had survived the battles in which they were lost (for example: I-168 doesn't find Yorktown after Midway and Hornet isn't hit by the last torpedo and is able to be towed out safely) How do you think the US operations may have changed or do you think that the general strategy will have stayed the same just with an extra set of fleet carriers before the Essex's come online?

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@testfortester7131 Power bag material not burnt in the combustion. Such as these.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4W6kKumgJKHrcU

[@jamespocelinko104]

USS Langley: "I used to be 19,000 tons but thanks to carrier conversion I lost 6,000 tons! Imagine what it can do for you!"

[@DarkestVampire92]

NAVAL ENGINEERS HATE HER! This collier lost 6.000 tons - Find out this weird trick by clicking the link below

[@Shenaldrac]

Weight savings? In MY naval refits? It's more likely than I thought.

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Yes! my conversion starts today, -100 lbs (45k) Please!! :-)

[@TrickiVicBB71]

😆😆

[@mattblom3990]

Lol - win.

[@nnnn11112]

The USN didn't know what they wanted the Langley to be, but they knew it had something to do with planes.

[@ONECOUNT]

I look at her first conversion and I see the jeep carriers of WW2.

[@twokool4skool129]

"How much of the deck should be converted to flattop?" "Yes"

[@AsbestosMuffins]

"Somewhere between all of it and none of it!"

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

USN: *creates aircraft carrier* USN:...what do we do now? *installs pigeons*

[@mikecimerian6913]

Pigeons were used as guidance for gliding bombs. Abandoned when radio-control became feasible.

[@obelic71]

She was called the Langley so it makes perfect sense. Just look at this old KZbin gem. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHbNhnSkhchljKM

[@kyle857]

Pigeons were the high speed internet of the day.

[@TheTrueOrion]

That's what happens when you skill into naval tech but not communication :>

[@jlvfr]

Well... they fly, they drop bad things...

[@gemman1]

My Grandfather flew in one of the original Squadrons on the Langley. He said the original arresting gear on the ship was high tension line attacked to cement blocks that where in cylinders on the side of the ship that would slow down the planes (really fragile Byplanes) as they landed. He still had his original flight helmet when he died.

[@benlaskowski357]

The Langley's stately progress and convenient roof earned her the nickname 'The Covered Wagon'. ;)

[@Maddog3060]

USS Langley: the grand ol' girl who gave birth to the USN air corps. But... lost ALL three sister ship colliers? All by the Bermuda Triangle? No wonder they sent her to the Pacific Fleet. "Keep her the Hell away from Bermuda!"

[@MrSleepy677]

Except she couldn't survive The Dutch East Indies.

[@richardbell7678]

Her sister ships were probably lost to the very mundane cause of shifting cargo. Half-full cargo holds loaded with something that will shift, but not flow, are the bane of all ships. A great wave shifts the center of gravity in one direction, the center of buoyancy in the other direction, and the ship capsizes.

[@IsaiahAmos017]

yeah I’m never going to get on a boat that goes anywhere close to the Bermuda triangle

[@RaimoKangasniemi]

@@richardbell7678Cyclops had also engine issues, and the weather was stormy. The other two ships, Nereus and Proteus, which vanished within few weeks from each other in late November - early December 1941 are less famous but perhaps a bit harder to explain than Cyclops' disappearance.

[@Feiora]

@@RaimoKangasniemi Maybe a U-Boat using the Bermuda Triangle myth as cover for its activities?

[@MisterApol]

Just FYI, "Pecos" is pronounced "Pay-cos." It's a river in Texas.

[@CountArtha]

I only know that because of Pecos Bill

[@MrTak44]

came to point this out, thank you sir.

[@rcwagon]

US Oilers of the day were named after rivers. Such as the Indian named Neosho, lost at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Some say Pecos (pronounced as above or PEHKowS) arises from a native Indian language meaning "from the river. The source failed to mention which native Indian language. the river arises near Santa Fe, New Mexico, in or near the Pecos wilderness and flows South making a border of the famous Staked Plain to the East, passing into Texas and Pecos, Texas.. It was the only source of water for cattle herds driven West out of Texas. The oiler in the episode above was, however, the root'n toot'nst US Navy Oiler that side of the Pecos.

[@Dr_Reason]

@@rcwagon Maybe the "Pecos" tribe? They had a pueblo near the headwaters of this river. You can look up Pecos National Historical Park to get more information than you ever wanted to know.

[@anonymousstout4759]

Explain America, explain!

[@Mustang_Dan]

My Grandpa was on USS Pecos (AO-6), the oiler that got sent to pick up Langley Survivors and got sunk. He survived somehow. There's a book on the loss of the Pecos and Langley and it's really gripping.

[@basemayn]

My great grandfather served on the Langley and died either when it was hit or when the Pecos sunk after the rescue.

[@roberthanley7897]

My uncle Dr James Hanley from the Langley was killed. After the pecos was sunk He stayed behind with wounded expecting the navy to come back and rescue them. They didn’t.

[@Mustang_Dan]

@@roberthanley7897 I’m so sorry to hear that. At least he wasn’t alone and went down as a hero to the fullest. It’s been a while since I read the book that recounts the Langley and Pecos’ stories, but your uncle was probably mentioned.

[@roberthanley7897]

@@Mustang_Dan he was mentioned. My mom told the story that we he saw it first time “he committed that this were he would die.” Ugly scary ship.

[@Spaceman404.]

Starting with a little converted collier to a dozen 100,000 ton nuclear powered monsters. From humble beginnings.

[@jamesbugbee6812]

And what a road between...

[@kentvesser9484]

Sounds like a prelude to a kaiju movie where it progresses from steampunk Godzilla who is coal powered and breathes sulphur dioxide gas to cyberpunk Godzilla who uses nuclear fission and breathes x-rays at his enemies.

[@samthesaxman4487]

Unfortunately they are now obsolete

[@zacklewis342]

@@samthesaxman4487 So, the world's largest, most powerful warships are now obsolete because...? They have no role? They are being sunk? They have been superseded by...? Idiot.

[@thecatwithatophat4069]

Langley: Gets converted into a seaplane tender "You thought I had more flight deck but its me, the forward superstructure!"

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

Talk about quick drop and a sudden stop, and a surprise at that!

[@diegoarias7774]

Kono Dio da.

[@Rammstein0963.]

The world's most confused collier....

[@roybaker6902]

At least she didn't sink in the Bermuda Triangle.

[@andrewtaylor940]

Hey give the old girl her due. In spite of being woefully obsolete and unsuited to warfare, she fought and died a warship. 3 waves of the best navy bomber pilots in the world at the time couldn’t sink the old collier.

[@ONECOUNT]

It would be Transcarrier.

[@Kevin_Kennelly]

"And, so the ship's XO was housed in the former pigeon coop. Presumably after something of a cleanup."

[@colbeausabre8842]

He had larger quarters than the captain and they occupied the traditional location for flag officers quarters.See what looks like a house on the fantail.....www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/usa/us-navy/langley/uss-langley-with-vought-ve-7/

[@mitchelloates9406]

Being retired USN enlisted, my mind immediately wondered if this was perhaps the captain's way of subtly expressing his opinion of his XO. You know the old saying about "birds of a feather....".

[@aaronstorey9712]

Kevin Kennelly xo?

[@quentintin1]

@@aaronstorey9712 executive officer

[@aaronstorey9712]

Max oh

[@Xerethane]

Recently there was a wave tank test of the Collier configuration originally used by Langley and her sister ships. As it turns out the design was "ok" in up to about 30 foot seas but was REALLY terrible at handling rogue waves and this weakness is likely why several of her sisters disappeared with all hands in the Bermuda Triangle. Langley's conversion and weight loss program likely saved her and her crews from a similar fate.

[@markmogk4814]

There is evidence of an explosion near the fantail of Cyclops. Likely a U-boat attack.

[@grondhero]

"...her small size and _more critically, that slow speed_ meant that her utility was rapidly running out." ::comforts in USS _Texas._ :: *Reasonable Anti-Submarine Escort:* Technically, we did our job.

[@johnfisher9692]

Poor Langley The USN just couldn't make up their mind on what to do with the hull. Does she hold the record for the more roles she was rebuilt for? Or the Weight Watchers record for the most weight lost?

[@CattyCatboi-eg9ho]

Answer: Yes

[@TankerBricks]

Actually Edsall under the command of Joshua Nix went up against Kido Butai.The Japanese mistook her for a cruiser. Her gallant action saved the survivors of the Pecos,Langley.

[@Drachinifel]

I mentioned briefly that she was sunk by carrier strikes and gunfire, the full story of her last stand is a subject for its own video. :)

[@TankerBricks]

@@Drachinifel correct.

[@vassilizaitzev1]

A story of heroism, tragedy, and murder. I guess it sums up the Asiatic Fleet's experience in the Far East.

[@TankerBricks]

@@vassilizaitzev1 maybe not. They had been forced out by the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.

[@vassilizaitzev1]

@@TankerBricks Aye, once the FEAF was gutted, there wasn't much the Asiatic Fleet could do in the Philippines. My comment was mostly about what happened to the Edsall and her crew.

[@skyden24195]

I love the photo which depicts the ship as "Airplane Ship Langley." 😄🛫🚢

[@michaelcarrinton585]

Thank You ! Being an Old Marine Air Winger I'm quite familiar with her early history, but this is the first I heard of her end. Sad, bad luck for her crew. Rest in Peace.

[@mattblom3990]

The Langley during conversion somehow reminds me of what the Titanic would look like if it were converted to a carrier.

[@rickklein7792]

My father was assigned to the USS Long Island, CVE-1. Commissioned by Roosevelt. Saw Atlantic duty in 41 then transferred to the Pacific in 42. First sail was to Guadalcanal to deliver first squadrons of the Cactus Air Force. Spent the rest of the war ferrying aircraft all over the South Pacific.

[@mirdordinii5783]

Some day when Drach has finally run out of US carriers I hope he cover's the US Navy's Akron-class.

[@Easy-Eight]

The British, French, USA, Soviets (Russians), India, Spain, Brazil, Argentina, Italy, and China have all operated/operate Aircraft Carriers. If one "drilled" down on the Forrestal class it can be subdivided into at least three sub-classes. That does not include the Nimitz, modified Nimitz, and (wretched) Ford class. Since we're on the subject of carriers then don't forget the huge number of Helicopter carriers operated by the USN. At two videos a month on carriers it will take Drach about three years.

[@ethanhatcher5533]

@@Easy-Eight yes but the Akron Class were FLYING aircraft carriers

[@Easy-Eight]

@@ethanhatcher5533 , yes, the Akron Class were airships & that might make them out-of-scope of this channel. The real problem of the all airships is they would not operate out of the weather, they were limited to below 10K feet. Lets just say all the airships had not wrecked/been scrapped and been used to scout the approaches to Pearl Harbor. Because of the weather the airships would not have spotted the IJN carriers.

[@sirrliv]

Agreed, but he's still got a way to go. He hasn't even hit USS Wolverine and USS Sable yet, the Great Lakes training carriers converted from huge paddle steamers.

[@lawrencelewis8105]

@@sirrliv I read about those many years ago. Just imagine side-wheel aircraft carriers! But the Akron and Macon may qualify, they were operated by the Navy.

[@donnergrober179]

3:31 The last thing you see in a World of Warships match on Straits

[@andyjim1734]

I think you mean Two brothers

[@donnergrober179]

@@andyjim1734 IIRC Two Brothers is usually played when you have Tier 6

[@machaiping]

@@andyjim1734 If it's Two brothers and a carrier, that's mostly Flambass who did it though because no one else is crazy and good enough to try it.

[@airplanenut89]

@@andyjim1734 Ryan is probably referring to how CVs on Strait will hide among the islands at the east and west sides of the map.

[@namvet7971]

My daad out of high school, joined the navy, and was posted with his brother to the Langley in the late '30's, and was assigned as the captains's gig. Lots of adventures with that. He and his brother left the ship in 1940 to became aviators, so they were not aboard when it was sunk. He told me lots of stories of his ship time, and was a member of the USS Whipple's society. I have his blanket from the Lagley, and other momentos of his time aboard. He had a 33 year career as an aviator, primarily PBY and other land based aircraft. 12,000+ hours. There were about 500 men who were left in the water when the Whipple got a sub cotact, was nearly out of fuel, and the Japanese fleet was just over the horizon. Enormous loss of life. Dark days for our country and others at that early time of the War. The Edsall was lost with all hands, including the pilots, and it wasn't until the early '50's that how she met her end was found in Japanese records and film. Much of this sad event is in the book "The Fleet The God's forgot." NAM VET

[@stanstenson8168]

If you're a reader, check out A Blue Sea of Blood. It's about the Edsall.

[@joeblow9657]

"The conversion saw the ship go through a radical weight loss program." Classic Drachism right there. LOL

[@Hiznogood]

For you Drach, I suffer thru a 30 second ad for a mobile game I never ever want to play! Keep up the good work!

[@cgross82]

“The ship’s XO was housed in the former pigeon coop.” Some things never change, LOL!

[@airplanegam3001]

Just wanted to say thank you for posting this video, this was very informative and included some photos of the ship once bombed that I had never seen before. Thanks again, much appreciated.

[@billhightower7754]

My father served on the Langley as a radioman somewhere between 1924 and 1928. He had a few stories about her.

[@elykeom1]

Woke up to two of my favorite things: flat tops and drach :)

[@Nathan-pw7do]

Have you ever thought about doing a piece on the USS Sable or Wolverine? I bet the comments would be spirited 😉

[@spikespa5208]

Yes. Maybe not the most exciting operational careers but *very* important for US carrier aviation during the war, with thousands of pilots and LSO's trained.

[@SteamCrane]

@@spikespa5208 As well as supplying the bottom of Lake Michigan with a seemingly endless wealth of recoverable fighter aircraft wrecks, nicely preserved in fresh water..

[@ChuckJansenII]

This is a very fascinating video. I had read the account of Langley's demise some years ago. She served her country proudly. Of first 8 Aircraft Carriers that carried a CV designation in their career, those that were sunk during the war were sunk in order of the CV number AV-3 (Former CV-1) USS Langley 27 Feb 1942 75 mi south of Tjilatjap harbor CV-2 USS Lexington 8 May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea CV-5 USS Yorktown 7 June 1942 Battle of Midway CV-7 USS Wasp 15 September 1942 Southeast of San Cristobal Island CV-8 USS Hornet 27 October 1942 off the Santa Cruz Islands

[@h.m.s.belfast4047]

Always wanted to know more about the mother of U.S. CV. Thank you kindly for making this.

[@willbxtn]

An idea for a ship to review: HMS Starling and her adventure in the Atlantic in WWII. Or more broadly, anti-submarine warfare and Captain Frederic John Walker: the only man to hear the phrase "U-boat menace" and interpret it as a job title.

[@sparkymck1620]

Speaking of Edsall... She'd be a good one to cover

[@nitsu2947]

Oh hello Miss teacher....

[@709badwolf]

the last time i was this early,, kamchatka was still being built,,, i’ll see myself out 👍

[@nickierv13]

But will you see any torpedo boats?

[@gardist]

Idea for the shipguide list: Flugzeugträger I (the aircraft carrier project of the imperial german navy)

[@Iain1957]

It might have been worth mentioning the career of Joseph Mason Reeves, USS Jupiters first comanding officer. He was apointed because of his technical know how as the ship had the new turbo electric drive. Later Reeve qualified in naval aviation and USS Langley came under his command as Commander, Aircraft Squadron, Battle Fleet. Langley was his flagship. Reeves was the senior officer who opperationalised much of the doctrine around naval air opperations, notably how to fill ships with aircraft and keep them opperational, developing tactics through real world fleet problems and in particualr supporting dive bombing. He was a key figure in the development of naval aviation just as USS Langley was.

[@maxkennedy8075]

I saved Langley in my war in the pacific: ae. She sits at Ndeni tending to a flight of Catalinas covering the Southern Marshals

[@agolftwittler1223]

Just what we needed. Stay safe Sir.

[@workingguy6666]

Thank you so much for the work you're doing to keep we locked-down folks entertained.

[@ogscarl3t375]

Was actually looking forward to this guide being released as USS Langley has an interesting history. Thanks Drach much appreciated :D

[@SurfTrekTonics]

Wow those Langley Chaps sure could not catch a break that day, just glimpses of hope.... I bet some grandkids got to hear some incredible tales from the survivors ..

[@robertoler3795]

well done...a marvelous ship the covered wagon...she was NavAir Robert Capt USN retired F14 driver

[@anthonyrobinson7715]

Please do a video on the Cleveland-class light cruisers!

[@robertguttman1487]

The USS Langley was featured "The Flying Fleet", a feature film produced by MGM which was released in January, 1929. At that time "sound" was still very new and, since most of "The Flying Fleet" was filmed "on location", rather than in a studio, the movie was actually released as a "silent movie". However, it is of great historical interest because a great many scenes were filmed around, or on board, the USS Langley, which was described in the movie as "The Navy's aircraft carrier", implying that the USS Lexington and USS Saratoga had not yet even entered service at the time the film was produced.

[@nickdanger3802]

USS Whipple and Edsall were Clemson-class ships launched 1919 and 1920.

[@stevecurl7430]

World War II-era warship loaded with thousands of ammunitions discovered off the coast of Cilacap, Central Java, possibly the USS Langley... This ammunition was made in Pennsylvania in 1933,” said Ady Setyawan, historical diver. This ship is speculated to be USS Langley, a US Navy’s first aircraft carrier that was operated during World War II. The ship was said to be attacked by Japanese fighter planes while carrying P40 airplanes to Java.

[@grunt167]

I was just rewatching the guide on the Fletcher class and Drach gifts us with a new episode and on the Langley!

[@ussnautilusss-1687]

Id love to see more about Edsall. I love her story

[@BB.61]

Samuel Pierpont Langley developed a heavier than air flying machine dubbed the Aerodome and made a successful flight in 1896, well before the Wright Brothes. But it was large and less stable than the Wright brothers entry. Also coincidentally in regards to this channel, one early example at heavier than travel was called the Kress "Drachenflieger". I wonder if Drach knows this?

[@CharlesStearman]

Langley built a steam-powered model aeroplane which successfully flew in 1896, but the full-size Aerodrome failed to get airborne on its first attempt and suffered structural failure on its second.

[@jamesbugbee6812]

That Proteus class & near-sisters were a harbinger of a great at-sea refuelling capability, refined in WW2.

[@darrellsmith4204]

So refreshing to look at the word "carriers" and remember when it meant something different..

[@Lecog]

Fun fact, those P-40s being transferred by Langley were being sent to the Burma Front for use by the 23rd Fighter group, aka Flying Tigers 2.0

[@riotintheair]

The oilier Pecos is phonetically "Pay-cose" - it's derived from Spanish hence the pronunciation, and Pecos Texas was sight of an early US oil boom (it's a pretty well known place at least in Texas). Pecos Bill is a somewhat well known fictional cowboy that demonstrates the pronunciation.

[@SnowmanTF2]

Granted it is not uncommon that American cities pronunciation have shifted over time from what they were named after, some well known examples: New Orleans is named after Or-lee-on in France Miami tribe is pronounced closer to My-am-ah Cleveland's spelling even shifted away from the person it was named after Detroit would have been closer originally to Dee-twah

[@riotintheair]

@@SnowmanTF2 Definitely! But in this case I grew up pretty near there and both the river and oil field are pronounced "Pay-cose". The site and ship are both named for the river - early oilers for the USN were all named for rivers.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

I do love the Old Covered Wagon....its a real shame we dont have a current Supercarrier named the Langley. It's a distinguished name. The fate of her former sisters has always been interesting to me, hopefully one day someone finds their wrecks. Fantastic video as always Drach, thank you sir.

[@mdcampbell7360]

There was an Independence class light carrier (CVL-27) named USS Langley that entered service in 1943 and served 20 years in the USN and French navy. Like her namesake and her eight sisters she was a conversion, having been laid down as a Cleveland class light cruiser.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

@@mdcampbell7360 shame none of those Light carriers survived to be museum ships.

[@steweygrrr]

One thing I wondered is why the USN adopted French for the naming scheme of some of their vessels eg CV Cruiser Voler but English for the majority, usually class followed by role eg DE Destroyer, Escort

[@admanpaulandrew]

Informative and witty. Well done Drach.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Mr. Langley, built a plane that never really flew. Yet, is honored with a ship name. Yet the man who gave us Naval Aviation, Eugene Ely; in 100 plus years has never been honored. 😡

[@kh2b573]

Calm down its just a name

[@ReptilianLepton]

It's not at all too late to start a campaign to name a _Ford-_ class carrier after him!

[@RedXlV]

Congress passed a resolution over a decade ago calling for the next US Navy carrier to be USS Eugene Ely. Instead, the President at the time decided that the next carrier should be named after his own father.

[@mikebrown1926]

@@RedXlV And that father, George Bush senior, was indeed worthy of having an aircraft carrier named after him, but I would still like to see Eugene Ely honored as well.

[@RedXlV]

@@mikebrown1926 Certainly a better choice than most instances of warships named after politicians. Though it seems like it was premature to name a carrier after him while he was still alive. It *used* to be that the US Navy didn't name ships after living people.

[@czarfore]

I believe Pecos is pronounced Pay - cos (the "o" is like the O in post). USN Oilers were named after rivers with Native American names. The Pecos River is in Texas.

[@karenadielrances3112]

Thanks to this channel i know the guide!

[@turbowolf302]

eyy, it's grandmama flat-top

[@roboticus71]

Apparently a large brawl broke out in Fremantle when some of the crew of USS Phoenix made same disparaging remarks to the collection of survivors about being 'losers'. They were then filled in on some of the living hell these poor souls had suffered for weeks and weeks. (From the book 'Rising Sun Falling Skies'.)

[@jb6027]

Excellent. Thank you!!!

[@Custerd1]

That sit for this video. Thank svor watching.

[@jamesarronmartinmartin7262]

#drachenfel love your videos especially the longer videos

[@bigblue6917]

Loading up with pigeons. You get the feeling this lacked ambition. And the poor old crew suffering from Bombja ve. That feeling you've been bombed before.

[@rockislandred]

Talk about conversions, I still think a look at the USS Sable and USS Wolverine would be worth a look, if only because they were the only side wheel carriers of WW 2......or any time for that matter.

[@patrickmurphy6775]

Great history. Good work!

[@rogerkoch1971]

What about the KXVIII K18 dutch submarine operating from the Dutch east indies, my grandfather was a radio operator on that boat. There was even a underwater mountain ridge named after Her after her world voyage somewhere west north west of Australia. Just as a idea for a future video. PS i love youre videos. I do own a original painting" by J.H. Prevoo" of that sub, if you want a photgraph of it.

[@eriksmit4661]

Perhaps a nice ship class to revieuw is the Dutch Tromp class WW2 light cruisers. (Tromp and Jacob van Heemskerk)

[@AlteryxGaming]

Ah yes, the bane of all USN CV players in WoWs

[@esbendit]

Or the bane of everything else she shares matchmaking with.

[@mpetersen6]

At least she's good for learning dive bombing tactics or recon. If the other teams got a Hosho or a destroyer get close she's toast. I don't know how many times I've sent her to the bottom only for WoWs to locate, raise and refit her

[@AlteryxGaming]

95% of my experience with the Langley came before the rework. And it was by far the worst cv in the game at that point, rivaled only by the bogue in terms of uselessness

[@tra-viskaiser8737]

I rammed and sunk a wyoming with one... sure the guy was a terrible shot the whole slow roll in. But it was a kill

[@stallfighter]

@@AlteryxGaming well, now its "just" a worst USN carrier for its tier. Worst CV currently either Hermes or -Incapable- Implacable

[@MakeMeThinkAgain]

If I recall correctly, she had already delivered the P-40s and was withdrawing when she was sunk. Unfortunately there was no time to get the planes in action so the Japanese got them. Or so I seem to recall.

[@howardgoff2420]

Can you do a video on the USS Merrick AKA-97. She was a cargo ship and served in World War II, Korea and also Vietnam where she was used for a mother ship for river boat. Hard to find out a lot of history about her. She was also in an Antarctic expedition. Would love to see a video on her if you could do. Love your channel keep up the good

[@gunner678]

Fascinating boat!

[@postie9434]

i would love to see your library of books . the amount of obsure ships you find out about is amazing

[@robmx2324]

I didn't know that Langley was a causality of the War.

[@petrbenda3406]

Could you elaborate why USS Langley had rather massive masts in the middle of the flight deck?

[@colbeausabre8842]

1) They had a magical device you have heard of. It's called radio. 2) They were collapsible to allow fight operations 3) Future carriers had their radio masts mounted on outriggers from the flight deck

[@petrbenda3406]

@@colbeausabre8842 Thanks for the clarification!

[@Feiora]

@@colbeausabre8842 You would think someone would have seen the flaw in that design choice...

[@dukecraig2402]

@@Feiora I'll bet the first pilot that smacked into one did.

[@Seele2015au]

Almost useful information: the character Asuka in "Neon Genesis Evangelion" was named after both USS Langley and IJN Soryu.

[@CplEthane]

See: Yosemite Sam for a demonstration of the proper pronunciation of "Pecos".

[@SaturnCanuck]

Thanks. I have been watching these videos for a whole now and have you thought of the AIRSHIPS of the US Navy?

[@timcastle165]

Could you do a video about the USS Pine Island AV-12? My father served aboard her as a Boiler Tech.

[@duaneanderson9535]

Have you covered the USS St. Louis CL 49? Very busy in WWII from Pearl on.

[@karlvongazenberg8398]

Ah, sky cancer again... No, its Drach. All coffee machines, full steam!

[@madrabbit9007]

Wow! I thought she would have been scrapped before WWII!

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

She was being used to ferry USAAF P-40's. Sadly never delivered to Java.

[@madrabbit9007]

@@WALTERBROADDUS Yes...I watched the video too.

[@kennethhamby9811]

The second USS LANGLEY was commissioned in 1943, my father served on her till war’s end.

[@AsbestosMuffins]

kinda shows the proteus ships might have been too heavy for their own good since this ship didn't break in half when under inclimate (and explosive) weather

[@greenflagracing7067]

Named after Samuel Pierpont Langley, an aviation pioneer.

[@damiandorhoff719]

A Guide to the French Battleships of the Alsace Class, the Normandie Class and the Lyon class please.

[@FoxerWilde]

Great as always. What about the Swedish Halland class destroyers? Dont see them on the list @drachinifel 😉

[@MrTScolaro]

Excellent video, however, I would have expected at least a passing reference to the Langley class of light fleet carriers.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

Uh, because it's the Independence Class of CVL.....😞

[@MrTScolaro]

@@WALTERBROADDUS really, my mistake

[@Theogenerang]

That photo at 3.34 is a keeper.

[@jacoballred7689]

Sometimes that old technology had been top secret of the day. Although, nowadays certain knowledge about design is common.

[@farmerdave7965]

Yay Drach ! Another fine video. Thanx !

[@sb859]

I had no idea she served and was lost to enemy action in WW II.

[@HSMiyamoto]

What a sad story of all those lost lives. I wonder how many sailors looked at all those crated-up P-40s and thought, "Damm, I want to see some action!" Another tale of men who go down to the sea in ships.

[@cthootie]

Excellent, Thanks

[@sebsmith2]

Two comments. First, your description of USS Edsall (DD-219) and her fate was lacking enough that she deserves her own episode. Second, you missed the hilarity of where Langley's name came from. Hint: she has a relative from the same construction program named Wright.

[@Drachinifel]

Edsall will indeed get her own video, her story is way to exciting to be a bit part in another ships five minutes of fame.

[@masonstallings3050]

I was reading that HMS Argus had a retractable pilothouse. Did Langley or any other flush decks have a similar pilothouse configuration? Also, where was the bridge generally located on flush decks?