The B class blimps were patrol airships operated by the United States Navy during and shortly after World War I.

Dr. Jerome Hunsaker was asked to develop a theory of airship design, Lt. John H. Towers had returned from Europe having inspected British designs, and using reports from attachés on British airship operations, the Navy was prepared to seek bids for blimps from American manufacturers.

The conference resulted in a committee to coordinate on sharing raw materials, information and experience.

[3] Ultimately Goodyear manufactured 9 envelopes, Goodrich made 5 and Curtiss assembled the gondolas for all of those 14 ships.

The first flight of a B class blimp was made by the engineers who built it, Ralph Upson and Lt Preston, on May 24, 1917 at the White City Amusement Park, Chicago, Illinois, site where the B-1 had been assembled.

[7] Leaving at midnight May 29, 1917 on B-1s fourth flight, Upson decided that since the B-1 was performing well he would rather not land at the small White City facility.

[11] The Navy set up airship stations along the East Coast, at Chatham, Massachusetts, Montauk, Long Island, Rockaway Beach in NY City, Cape May, New Jersey, Norfolk, Virginia, and Key West and Pensacola, Florida.

Bases were also established at San Diego, California, and Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone.

One Chatham-based B-type was involved in spotting a U-boat and called in seaplanes to attempt an attack.

The Navy Table (there are two dates, May and September 1919, lists the B-Class airships to remain in service.