As with the B-class, the envelope production was split between Goodyear and Goodrich, with control cars being built by the Burgess division of Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company.

The most notable C-type blimp was the C-5, which was flown to St. John's, Newfoundland, where it was to attempt a transatlantic flight in competition with the US Navy's heavier-than-air Curtiss NC flying boats.

This unofficial race drew much public interest on both sides of the Atlantic and was covered extensively by the press in the US and Europe.

[3] The attempt ended when a sudden windstorm tore the unmanned C-5 from the hands of the ground crew and it was blown out to sea and never seen again.

[6][7] On 7 July 1921, the C-3 caught fire while airborne and was destroyed at Naval Air Station Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Virginia.