14 April 2012Last updated at 06:03

In pictures: Pulham St Mary WWI airship photos rediscovered

About 60 rare images of World War I airships operating from RNAS Pulham in Norfolk have been rediscovered by the family of the photographer. They were taken on the base by Royal Naval Air Service's photographer George Hamilton Wakefield from 1916 onwards.

Inside no1 at Pulham showing the rigid HMA23, plus two Coastals and a North Sea ship at the far end

The collection was discovered in London by the Owens family, relatives of the photographer. The images have been given to The Pennoyer Centre in Pulham St Mary which holds an archive of material about the air station.

George Hamilton Wakefield in his flying suit and standing in the frame of a damaged zeppelin

Mr Wakefield was based in Pulham from 1916. He died in 1941. Michael Owens said: "Grandpa was a hoarder. Besides neatly wrapped used toothbrushes and other 'things that may come in useful', we found his war chest and many photo albums."

The landing crew having difficulty managing the SS35 ship in the gale outside the shed at Pulham St Mary

Mr Owens said: "We all knew the albums deserved a better fate than a skip, so they ended up in our sideboard for 11 years. We're truly thrilled to now share these pictures with people who will really appreciate them. George Hamilton Wakefield is going to live again."

Two very early, non-rigid airships, the Parseval and the Submarine Scout 35 (c. 1916)

The Pennoyer Centre is launching the Hamilton collection in a two-day airship festival starting on Saturday. An exhibition of the work will run until mid-May. Spokeswoman Sheila King said: "Reaction to the images has been amazing. They give us an understanding of the amazing achievements of these early aviators."

Rare internal shot inside the HMA 23 with an airman looking from a window.

As an RNAS photographer Mr Wakefield had privileged access to the airships. This rare internal view is taken along the keel of the 535ft (163m) long HMA 23. The weights on the floor beside the airman were shifted around to help balance the ship in flight.

An evening arrival for a Parseval training airship at Pulham.

Referring to this picture showing an arrival at Pulham, Ms King said: "The handling lines are ready to be caught but it was a dangerous business as these had to be left to earth in order to discharge static built up during flight. Once caught, the landing crew had to be careful as a gust of wind could take you up in the air still holding on."

Aerial view of RNAS Pulham taken from an airship

The station at Pulham opened in 1916 and employed 5,000 people. Airships flew from there until 1930. Ms King said: "Our airship advisor, Nick Walmsley, came out to look at the collection and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Because of their detail they've answered various questions on airship design."

Michael Owens said: "Getting the albums out of storage we came across a letter, written by GHW while he was cruising above London on 9 March, 1918 in the R23. He addressed it to his dad and threw it over the side. It was found in Maida Vale, popped into a post box and delivered to the family home."

Norfolk

In pictures: Pulham St Mary WWI airship photos rediscovered

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