Operators
Royal Navy
| SSP class | |
|---|---|
| Role | Patrol airship |
| National origin | United Kingdom |
| Introduction | 1917 |
| Primary user | Royal Navy |
| Number built | 6 |
The SSP (Submarine Scout Pusher) were a class of Royal Navy non-rigid airship or "blimp" developed by the United Kingdom during World War I as a successor to the earlier SS class airship. Found to be inferior to a parallel development, the Submarine Scout Zero non-rigid, only a few were built. The main role of these craft was to escort convoys and scout or search for German U-boats. [1]
In 1916, design commenced at RNAS Kingsnorth on an SS class -type airship that would have a more comfortable purpose-built car, [2] and not simply be an adaptation of an aeroplane fuselage. The SSP cars were of rectangular cross-section, had a blunt nose, and could accommodate a crew of three. [3]
As the name suggests, the SSP was powered by a 100 hp (75 kW) Green engine mounted on bearers to the rear of the car, powering a 9 ft (2.7 m) diameter four-bladed propeller in pusher configuration. Four examples of the type were later fitted with 75 hp (56 kW) Rolls-Royce Hawk engines. [3]
Six SSPs entered service between January and June 1917, [4] but because of the success of the SSZ type it was decided that these would become the standard SS variant, and the SSP programme was terminated. [3]
Royal Navy Data from [4]
General characteristics
Performance
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