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 100hp Green engine mounted on bearers to the rear of the car, powering a 9feet diameter four-bladed propeller in pusher configuration. Four examples of the type were later fitted with 75hp 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]