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Description
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk fighter was designed to be flown from, and back to, U.S. Navy airships USS Akron (ZRS-4) and USS Macon (ZRS-5), using a hook mounted over the pilot to catch a cross-bar on a trapeze mounted to the airship. The eight Sparrowhawks were built in 1932 and the three survivors continued flying until 1939 as utility aircraft after both motherships were lost in crashes.

The museum's Sparrowhawk was retired to the Smithsonian in 1939 and was rebuilt with the best parts from all three Sparrowhawks and carries the bureau number of 9056. The Smithsonian first painted it in the colors of a USS Akron Sparrowhawk, though in 1974 it was given its current USS Macon paint job, as 9056 had been assigned to USS Macon while in service.

National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, Va.

Description
The Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk fighter was designed to be flown from, and back to, U.S. Navy airships USS Akron (ZRS-4) and USS Macon (ZRS-5), using a hook mounted over the pilot to catch a cross-bar on a trapeze mounted to the airship. The eight Sparrowhawks were built in 1932 and the three survivors continued flying until 1939 as utility aircraft after both motherships were lost in crashes.

The museum's Sparrowhawk was retired to the Smithsonian in 1939 and was rebuilt with the best parts from all three Sparrowhawks and carries the bureau number of 9056. The Smithsonian first painted it in the colors of a USS Akron Sparrowhawk, though in 1974 it was given its current USS Macon paint job, as 9056 had been assigned to USS Macon while in service.

National Air & Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
Chantilly, Va.