Hampden P1311 at Finningley airfield.
On 6th September 1940 the crew of this 106 Squadron aircraft were tasked with a night cross country training flight. While taking off from Finningley at 20.15hrs the aircraft swung violently, the pilot attempted to correct the swing by applying the brakes but the undercarriage collapsed.
Pilot - Sgt John Edwin Hills RAF (566066).
Hampden P1311 was built to contract 773239/38 by Handley Page Ltd at Cricklewood and was awaiting collection in November 1939. It was allotted to 9 MU on 27th November 1939 and was received by 9 MU on 20th December 1939. The aircraft was taken on charge by 106 Squadron at Finningley on 1st March 1940. As a result of the damage sustained on 6th September 1940 repairable Cat.B resulted and on 12th September 1940 it arrived at Tollerton for a repair in works as one of the companies there. The AM Form 78 has the aircraft as being at Tolerton until 31st December 1941, it left for some purpose though the AM Form 78 is unclear. It then briefly returned to Tollerton in December 1942 before issue to 28 MU at Aldergrove on 30th December 1942. On 14th August 1943 it was flown to 3 O.A.P.U at Llandow for preparation for transfer to RCAF and on 7th September 1943 it was transferred to RCAF. It left from Prestwick and after re-fuelling at Keflavik and Goose Bay it arrived in Canada on 30th September 1943. On arrival it was taken on charge by 32 O.T.U. at Patricia Bay where the aircraft served out it's life, being struck off charge on 30th April 1944.