USS Langley by Ivan Berryman. Americas first true aircraft carrier, the USS Langley (CV-1) is pictured making way at sea as a pair of Douglas DT-2s pass overhead. Americas First Flat Top by Stan Stokes. Although the US Navy had been an early leader in supporting naval aviation, during WW I the Navy had emphasized float planes, and with the end of the War, America found itself well behind the British who had several aircraft carriers in service. In April of 1919 the Navy decided to convert a new collier, the USS Jupiter, into a flush deck aircraft carrier, the navys first. Redesignated as the USS Langley (CV-1), the ship was commissioned in March of 1922. The Langley was the Navys only carrier until 1928, and would serve in this role until 1936. With the introduction of faster and larger naval aircraft, the Langleys small size and slow speed would result in a decision to change her mission to seaplane tender. The Langley displaced only 13,000 tons, had an open hangar deck, and no island. The ships two stacks were swiveled outwards during air operations, giving pilots a small but unobstructed flight deck. Two catapults were incorporated in the initial design, but were later removed. CV-1 had a turbo electric drive system which allowed the ship a top speed of 14 knots in either direction. This was deemed important so aircraft could be launched in either direction in the event the deck became damaged. The designers initially planned for the Langley to have an air group of only eight aircraft, but this was later increased to as many as forty-two. Most of the Langleys aircraft were stowed on the flight deck, with the practice of stowing aircraft on the hangar deck not becoming common until later. In 1942 CV-1 was utilized to ferry P-40s to Java. She was lost during this mission. The Boeing FB-5 of VB-3 shown in the background in Stan Stokes wonderful painting was one of the naval variants of Boeings PW-9 series. Boeing built a total of nearly 600 aircraft in this family, making it one of the most widely produced aircraft in the between Wars era. The FB-1 was the first aircraft in this series ordered by the Navy in 1924. The FB-2/3/4 variants included modifications for carrier use and a more powerful 510-HP Packard-IA engine. With the additional power, a taller rudder assembly was deemed necessary to provide adequate flight stability. The Navy ordered twenty-seven FB-5s and began taking deliveries in 1927. The upper wing of the FB-5 variant was moved forward while the lower wing was moved backwards. In addition a slightly more powerful Packard engine was utilized. As the FB-5 takes off from the Langley, a Curtis F6C-2 Hawk passes over the ship. The F6C-2 was a variant of the F6C-1 Hawk which was modified to withstand arrested landings. While only four of these models would be produced, the Navy would go on to purchase sixty of the F6C-3 and F6C-4 variants. USS Langley II, Leyte Gulf 1944 by Mark Churms Independence Class light carriers in action on the Sibuyan Sea at the Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 24th 1944. USS Princeton CVL-23 burns furiously from Japanese bombs as the USS Langley CVL-27, successor to United States Navys very first aircraft carrier of the same name, launches another Hellcat on CAP (Combat Air Patrol).