F-class blimp
The F 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. Classified as an "Experimental Engine Testing Dirigible." F-1 had the same envelope size as the E-1, due to the use of a tractor mounted 125 hp Union engine, the performance was different. F-1 spent its entire career at Hampton Roads (Norfolk, Virginia). It was flown in both tractor and pusher configurations.[1] It also may have been flown with a Curtiss OXX engine.[1] F-1 was removed from inventory in November 1923.
| F class | |
|---|---|
 | |
| NAVY F-1 | |
| Role | Engine testbed |
| Manufacturer | Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation |
| Introduction | 1918 |
| Retired | 1923 |
| Primary user | US Navy |
| Number built | 1 |
Specifications
General 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: 2,300 lb (1,043 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Union , 125 hp (93 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 52 mph (84 km/h, 45 kn)
- Cruise speed: 34 mph (55 km/h, 30 kn)
- Range: 1,414 mi (2,269 km, 1,229 nmi)
- Endurance: 34 hours 12 minutes
- Service ceiling: 8,000 ft (2,440 m)
References
- Shock, James R. (2001). U.S. Navy Airships 1915-1962. Edgewater Florida: Atlantis Productions. p. 34. ISBN 0-9639743-8-6.
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