F-class blimp
# 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. It also may have been flown with a Curtiss OXX engine. F-1 was removed from inventory in November 1923.

## 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 $m^3)$
* 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)
