1st Transatlantic Zeppelin ZR-3 - USS Los Angeles - 1924 Flight Cover

At the end of World War I, a provision in the Treaty of Versailles stipulated that Germany surrender their airships to the victorious allied nations. Since the two airships earmarked for the U.S. were destroyed, Germany agreed to build the U.S. an airship double their size. Completed in 1924, Zeppelin Company head Hugo Eckener piloted the airship to Lakehurst, New Jersey. On board were a few sacks of mail from Germany - the first mail officially carried across the Atlantic by air. After landing, the ZR-3 airship was christened the USS Los Angeles, serving the U.S. Navy until 1939. (1924 Zeppelin ZR3)