Hampden L4139 at Finningley airfield.
On the 26th of July 1940 while landing at Finningley at 23.00hrs following a solo training flight this aircraft's
undercarriage collapsed.
Pilot - P/O Kenneth R K Smettem RAF (41877). Of Barrow in Furness, Lancashire.
Kenneth Smettem completed his training but was killed only weeks later on 31st August 1940. He was pilot
of Hampden L4079 which was shot down crashed in Holland on Ops. He and his crew are buried in Nijmegen at
Groesbeek War Cemetery.
Hampden L4139 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page Ltd at Cricklewood/Radlett and was awaiting
collection in February 1939. It was delivered to 76 Squadron at Finningley in March 1939 when the unit
converted from Wellesleys. On 6th October 1939 it transferred to 106 Squadron also based at Finningley.
In early 1940 it transferred to 7 Squadron at Upper Heyford but this unit disbanded on 4th April 1940, however,
the aircraft remained at Upper Heyford and on 8th April 1940 it was absorbed into the newly formed 16 OTU. On
10th July 1940 it transferred to 50 Squadron at Lindholme and sustained Cat.W/FA damage in the incident
detailed above later that month but after inspection it was considered suitable for use as a ground instructional airframe
and given the serial 2170M. W R Chorley's Bomber Command losses book lists this aircraft as being with 16 OTU at the
time of the accident at Lindholme but I believe this to be an error.