Navy
(ex-Army)
Airship TC-14

Last Update: 5226

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Marty Dwyer;

Martyk9 @ webtv.net

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All photographs are from the collection of the above.

"TC-14 (& TC-13) were one of the last airships built for the Army. The TC-14 made it's maiden flight on 17 Sept 1935 at Scott Field, Il. When the Army disbanded the fleet in June 1937, the two airships were transferred to the Navy in July 1937. On 7 Dec 1941, the TC-14 was one of six military airships capable of Ocean operations.' š

The photographs on this and related web sites were taken in the few months leading up to 7 Dec 1941.
On the 7th, the Day of Infamy", NAS Lakehurst NJ had 10 airships on its roster.

They were:................... Built/Purchased
.. G-1............................ 1929 / 1935
.. K-2............................ 1938
.. K-3............................ 1941
.. K-4............................ 1941
.. K-5............................ 1941
.. L-1............................ 1938
.. L-2............................ 1941
.. L-3............................ 1941
.. TC-13........................ 1934
.. TC-14........................ 1935
(Only the "K" & "TC" airships were capable of Anti-Submarine Warefare operations.) ˛

Airship Patrol squadron 32 ( ZP-32)

"A directive signed by the CNO on 29 Dec 1941, authorized the formation of the Airship Patrol Squadron 32 ( later re-designated Blimp Squadron ZP-32) with the TC-13 & 14 as the nucleus for the squadron's operations. On 24 Jan 1942, Moffett Field received the first of 11 railroad cars with the dismantled TC airships. The TC-14 made her first test flight since re-assembly on 1 Feb 1942. By 1943 the squadron was operating only "K" type airships." ˛

Ballest waiting for it's carrier
NOB, Newport c1941
@ USNavy Photo

Mooring mast, Coddington Cove, Naval Supply Depot; Newport RI
NOB, Newport c1941
@ USNavy Photo

May I present, TC-14. One of the last Airships built for the Army,
NOB, Newport c1941
@ USNavy Photo

"The first (WW2) mission for the TC-14 was on February 4 when she made a wartime patrol with other units of the Pacific fleet. On February 23, an enemy submarine lying off the coast of California shelled an oil field off Santa Barbara. ZP-32 sent the TC-14 to search for the submarine and to escort any merchant ships in the area. The airship flew from Moffett Field to Morro Bay and operated in the area on February 24. She escorted several tankers and searched for the submarine wthout any definite results. Even though the airship did not locate the submarine, the squadron was able to demonstrate it's capability to respond to crisis situations." ˛