SS class airship
| SS class | |
|---|---|
| An SS class airship using a B.E.2c fuselage as a gondola | |
| Role | Patrol airship (submarine scout) |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | Royal Aircraft Factory RNAS Kingsnorth RNAS Capel RNAS Wormwood Scrubs Vickers |
| First flight | 1915 |
| Introduction | 18 March 1915 |
| Primary user | Royal Navy |
| Number built | 60 original SS class (158 all variants) |
| Variants | SSP, SSZ and SST class |
SS (Submarine Scout or Sea Scout) class airships were simple, cheap and easily assembled small non-rigid airships or "blimps" that were developed as a matter of some urgency to counter the German U-boat threat to British shipping during World War I. A secondary purpose was to detect and destroy mines. The class proved to be versatile and effective, with a total of 158 being built in several versions.