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Goodyear US Navy K-Class Blimp

Goodyear · Anti-Submarine Patrol Airship / Anti-Submarine Warfare / Convoy Escort · USA · WWII (1939–1945)

Goodyear US Navy K-Class Blimp — Anti-Submarine Patrol Airship / Anti-Submarine Warfare / Convoy Escort
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The K-class blimp was a class of blimps built by the Goodyear Aircraft Company of Akron, Ohio, for the United States Navy. These blimps were powered by two Pratt & Whitney Wasp nine-cylinder radial air-cooled engines, each mounted on twin-strut outriggers, one per side of the control car that hung under the envelope. Before and during World War II, 134 K-class blimps were built and configured for patrol and anti-submarine warfare operations, and were extensively used in the Navy’s anti-submarine efforts in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean areas.

Specifications

Category
Airship
Sub-Category
Non-Rigid Airship
Domain
Defence
Era
WWII (1939–1945)
Country
USA
Manufacturer
Goodyear
Operator
US Navy
Primary Role
Anti-Submarine Patrol Airship / Anti-Submarine Warfare / Convoy Escort
Status
Retired
Service Entry
1938
Produced
135
Propulsion
Piston
Engine
2x Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-2 radial
Thrust / Power
425 hp each
Launch
Ground
Length (ft)
252
Wingspan (ft)
54
MTOW (lb)
28000
Payload (lb)
5000
Endurance (hr)
38
Service Ceiling (ft)
10000
Range (mi)
2200
Max Speed (mph)
77
Armament
Mk 17 depth charges (4); Mk 24 FIDO acoustic torpedo (1); .50 cal machine guns