Hampden L4120 at Finningley airfield.
On 25th November 1940 this aircraft undershot an approach to land at Finningley and clipped a tree 400 yards from the
airfield boundary. The aircraft would appear to have made a landing at Finningley after this as the damage was assessed as
very minor Cat.M(u)/FA damage. The aircraft was probably on a training flight but to date this has not been discovered
by this researcher.
Crew - Names unknown.
Hampden L4120 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection in January 1939. It was taken on
charge by 61 Squadron at Hemswell the following month when the unit began converting from Blenheim MkI's to Hampden MkI's. On an unknown date it passed on to 106 Squadron at Finningley. Following the incident recorded above on 25th November 1940 Cat.M(u)/FA damage was recorded and the aircraft was repaired on site and returned to the unit. On 16th December 1940 on completion of the repair it was being test flown when the port engine failed and the aircraft was force landed 1/2 mile South East of Finningley and was badly damaged. Cat.W/FA damage was recorded and it was written off.