N.S.11 AT EASTCHURCH

Recording a significant event in the history of the British airship N.S.11, these photographs are part of the Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection of the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

In all probability the photographs were taken at RAF Eastchurch, Isle of Sheppy, Kent. Although not an airship station it was still a fully-active airfield. On a journey that started from Longside on 16 March 1919, N.S.11 landed at Eastchurch on 18 March 1919 after a flight of 40 hours, 30 minutes. The flight was intended to be a complete circuit of the North Sea but the ship developed trouble with the starboard engine and the attempt had to be terminated. As you will see from the photographs only the port blower pipe is lowered to provide air pressure in the ballonets – the starboard pipe is in the raised position.

N.S.11 coming in to land at RAF Eastchurch, the personnel of which would have been unused to handling airships. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

N.S.11 on the ground at RAF Eastchurch. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Close-up of the control car of N.S.11 at RAF Eastchurch. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Close-up of the control car of N.S.11 showing the water tank installed for flights with long endurance. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Excellent view of N.S.11 showing the twin FIAT engines. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

View from the rear of N.S.11. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

N.S.11 potentially preparing to leave RAF Eastchurch. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

N.S.11 above RAF Eastchurch. As both ballonet blower pipes are in the up position, it is likely this is N.S.11 leaving the airfield. Image: Adolphe Henri DuBois Special Photo Collection, San Diego Air & Space Museum.

The officers and crew of N.S.11 on this flight were:

• Capt W.K.F. G Warneford – Commander (her only Commander, he was killed when N.S.11 was lost on 15 July 1919)
• Capt A. J. H MacColl – 2nd Officer (had been flying with N.S.11 since 19 November 1919)
• Lt McConchie – 3rd Officer
• Sgt Stratton – Coxwain
• Cpl Stevens – Coxwain (with N.S.11 since 11 October 1918)
• Sgt Wrenn – Engineer (he had been flying with N.S.11 from at least 11 October 1918)
• Sgt Sansom – Engineer (with N.S.11 since 9 January 1919)
• Cpl Williams – WT Operator (he had been flying with N.S.11 from at least 11 October 1918)
• AC T. Connolly – WT Operator (later died when N.S.11 was lost on 15 July 1919)
• AC B. M. Hall – Unspecified crew member