Reading level:
A kid-friendly version of this page isn’t written yet — you’re seeing the regular version below. Back to the gallery to find an aircraft with a Kids version.

Various (Airship Service) British SS-Class Blimp

Various (Airship Service) · Coastal Patrol Non-Rigid Airship / Coastal Anti-Submarine Patrol / Convoy Escort · UK · WWII (1939–1945)

Open in interactive gallery →

Britain's WWI coastal patrol airship and the direct ancestor of the American K-class. Improvised from BE2 aeroplane fuselages suspended under a gas envelope. 158 built. Proved the fundamental principle that no escorted convoy lost a ship to a U-boat while under airship protection — the same record achieved by WWII K-ships. The concept was passed to the US Navy and shaped inter-war blimp development.

Specifications

Category
Airship
Sub-Category
Non-Rigid Airship
Domain
Defence
Era
WWII (1939–1945)
Country
UK
Manufacturer
Various (Airship Service)
Operator
Royal Naval Air Service / RAF
Primary Role
Coastal Patrol Non-Rigid Airship / Coastal Anti-Submarine Patrol / Convoy Escort
Status
Retired
Service Entry
1915
Produced
158
Engine
1x RAF 1a inline
Thrust / Power
70 hp
Launch
Ground
Length (ft)
143
Wingspan (ft)
32
MTOW (lb)
5000
Endurance (hr)
16
Max Speed (mph)
50