Hampden X2970 at Finningley airfield.
On 17th November 1940 this 106 Squadron aircraft landed at Finningley at 03.40hrs in bad weather following a mine laying operational flight. The pilot realised that the aircraft would overshot the landing area and as there was an obstruction ahead he swung the aircraft but the undercarriage collapsed. The aircraft may have landed with the mine still on board which resulted in the aircraft overshooting.
Pilot - P/O R D Wilson. (Probably P/O The Hon. Robert David Wilson RAF (79546)).
? - Sgt Osbourne.
? - Sgt Hull.
? - Sgt Stewart.
Hampden X2970 was built to contract B.994449/39 by English Electric Co.Ltd, at Samlesbury and was awaiting collection in August 1940. It was allotted to 24 MU on 29th August 1940 and was received by them on 10th September 1940. It was then taken on charge by 106 Squadron at Finningley on 25th September 1940. Following the landing accident at Finningley on 17th November 1940 the damage was assessed by No.43 Group D.A. on 23rd November 1940 and Cat.R/FB was recorded. The aircraft was transported to the Service Aircraft Section at the Tollerton works and was repaired there. On completion of the repair it was allocated to 12 MU on 25th December 1940 but it waited until 10th February 1941 to be flown to them. The aircraft was then taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 12th March 1941 soon after the unit formed. On 24th June 1941 it received minor Cat.Ac/FA damage in a flying accident but no details of how this occurred as yet known. A repair on site was carried out and it was returned to 25 O.T.U.. On 12th August 1941 it was destroyed, Cat.W/FA damage recorded, when it stalled on take off from Balderton and hit the ground, catching fire.