While searching through the online catalogue of the Museum of Flight, Edinburgh we chanced upon entries for a photograph and items relating to Thomas Connelly, the W/T Operator on N.S.11’s last flight and someone we have until now not found a photograph of. We are extremely grateful to the National Museum of Flight, part of National Museums Scotland, for photographing this compass, signal lamp and memorial plaque and allowing us to share them on Thomas’ page together with his portrait. ns11.org/the-last-crew/thomas-connelly
The Museum of Flight occupies the historic airfield at East Fortune, one of the most important surviving sites in the history of British airships. During the First World War it was a major airship station, and N.S.11 was based there for periods of her service. It was also from East Fortune that R.34 departed on 2 July 1919 to make the first east-to-west crossing of the Atlantic by air.
Today, the museum and the wider collections of National Museums Scotland preserve an exceptional body of airship material, including objects and records connected with R.34, Brigadier-General E. M. Maitland and the men and women of the airship service. These collections – and the knowledge of the people who care for them – are essential to preserving and understanding this remarkable part of our aviation history.