Hampden AE148 at Finningley airfield.
At 14.30hrs on 23rd September 1941 this 408 Squadron was landing at Finningley airfield when it struck a patch of rough ground towards the end of the landing run. This caused the tail of the aircraft to violently bounce resulting in the tail boom fracturing. 408 Squadron were based at Syerston so exactly why this aircraft was at Finningley is not known. On 22nd September 1941 the aircraft was one of 408 Squadron that were detailed to bomb Mazingarre but they were recalled after just ninety minutes flying. It is possible that AE148 landed at Finningley on the return owing to poor weather and was damaged in the preparation to return to Syerston.
Pilot - Sgt James Phillip Farrow RNZAF (NZ.402136).