The E class of US Navy blimps comprised a single airship, built during World War I by Goodyear as one of a group of three small blimps offered to the US government. Two were purchased for the US Navy and one for the US Army. The Navy blimps were designated E-1, F-1, and the Army airship A-1. These airships had identical envelopes but different cars.[1] The E-1 was delivered to Pensacola, Florida in December 1918. It was flown only at Pensacola serving as a trainer at the Airship School. A new envelope was provided in December 1920.[1] E-1 was retired from service sometime in 1924.
| E class | |
|---|---|
 NAVY E-1 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Training airship |
| Manufacturer | Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation |
| Primary user | US Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1918 |
| Retired | 1924 |
Operators
edit
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Crew: Three
- Length: 162 ft 0 in (49.39 m)
- Diameter: 33 ft 0 in (10.06 m)
- Height: 49 ft 6 in (15.09 m)
- Volume: 95,000 cu ft (2,690 m3)
- Useful lift: 2,050 lb (930 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Thomas-Morse , 145 hp (108 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 56 mph (90 km/h, 49 kn)
- Cruise speed: 35 mph (56 km/h, 30 kn)
- Range: 695 mi (1,115 km, 604 nmi)
- Endurance: 19 hours 12 minutes
- Service ceiling: 8,000 ft (2,440 m)
See also
editRelated lists
References
edit- ^ a b Shock, James R. (2001), U.S. Navy Airships 1915-1962, Edgewater Florida: Atlantis Productions, p. 33, ISBN 0-9639743-8-6