Hampden L4165 at Finningley airfield.
On 12th June 1941 the pilot of this 25 Operational Training Unit aircraft was undertaking a training flight. During a practice landing at Finningley at 14.15hrs the
aircraft landed heavily, the aircraft began to swing so the pilot braked hard and this caused the undercarriage to collapse. It sustained slight damage which was later repaired.
Pilot - Sgt William John Fulton RNZAF (NZ.402177).
Hampden L4165 was built to contract 594276/36 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection in April 1939. It was allotted to 7 Squadron on 20th April 1939 and then taken on charge by them at Finningley on 3rd May 1939 when the unit converted to Hampden MkI's from Whitley MkIII's. On 5th October 1939 it was taken on charge by 144 Squadron at Hemswell. On 15th February 1940 Rollasons / 4 M.U. received the aircraft to undertake minor repairs or modifications. It was then passed to 37 M.U. on 29th July 1940, English Electric Service Aircraft Section (S.A.S.) on 23rd October 1940 and then back to 37 M.U. on 28th November 1940. On 21st February 1941 it was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley. As a result of the mishap at Finningley on 12th June 1941 Cat.B/FA was the damage assessment and it was taken away for repair by 13 M.U. After time at English Electric and then 8 M.U. it was taken on charge by 415 Squadron on 17th January 1942 at Thorney Island when the unit formed. Two months later it transferred to the newly formed
489 Squadron also at Thorney Island on 17th March 1942. On 2nd June 1942 it transferred to 5 (C)O.T.U. at Turnberry soon after the unit commenced operating Hampden's. It received Cat.B damage on 27th October 1942 which saw it taken for repair at Tollerton. After passing through 29 M.U. it was taken on charge by 1403 (Met) Flight in Gibraltar on 19th May 1943. On 8th June 1942 it passed to 3502 S.U. and was later taken on charge by 1404 Met.Flight on 14th August 1943. It role in Met Flight duties was short lived as the aircraft was placed storage with 44 M.U. on 21st September 1943 awaiting disposal. It was struck off charge on 27th April 1944.