[2] Soon after the outbreak of World War I, the threat to British shipping from German submarines became increasingly apparent, with numerous losses occurring during October and November 1914.

[2] The type was to have a speed of 40–50 mph (64–80 km/h), carry a crew of two, 160 lb (73 kg) of bombs, wireless equipment, fuel for eight hours flying, and capable of reaching an altitude of 5,000 ft (1,500 m).

[2] The prototype SS craft was created at RNAS Kingsnorth on the Hoo Peninsula,[6] and was effectively a B.E.2c aeroplane fuselage and engine minus wings, tailfin and elevators, slung below the disused envelope from airship HMA No.

In recognition of his contributions the following comment was made: "Admiral Sueter desires to place on record his high appreciation of the hard work and devotion to the airship cause displayed by Commander Usborne.

[12][13] The fins were identical in size and shape, and were constructed of spruce, aluminium, and steel tubing, braced with wire and covered with doped fabric.

[12] Similar to the prototype, the production car was a wingless B.E.2c fuselage stripped of various fittings, and equipped with two ash skids in place of the wheeled undercarriage.

A camera was fitted,[14] and the armament consisted of bombs carried in frames suspended about the centre of the undercarriage and a Lewis Gun mounted on a post adjacent to the pilot's seat.

car was similar in many respects to the B.E.2c type, but had a single-skid landing gear with buffers, and required the larger 70,000 cu ft envelope to maintain a reasonable margin of lift.

[2][20] Initially undertaken by the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough, production was soon transferred to Kingsnorth, and in addition shortly afterwards to Vickers' works at Barrow-in-Furness and to the Wormwood Scrubs Naval Air Station in London.

Demand for the versatile "Sea Scouts" was so great that a grand total of 158 of all versions and variants were constructed,[2] some of which were acquired by France, Italy and the United States.

[4] Although the SS class types proved invaluable, their use was restricted to coastal patrols in reasonably fair weather owing to their low engine power and comparatively small size.