Hampden P1236 at Finningley airfield.
On 8th May 1941 this 25 Operational Training Unit aircraft was being flown on a night training flight when it over shot on landing at Finningley at 00.50hrs and ran through the
boundary fence. The aircraft sustained slight damage but was soon repaired. The flarepath was not lit at the time owing to enemy aircraft believed to be in the area at the time. The aircraft's flaps failed to lower after landing as the aircraft landed too fast.
Pilot - Sgt L A Robertson RAFVR (951879).
Hampden P1236 was built to contract 773239/38 by Handley Page Ltd. at Radlett and was awaiting collection in September 1939. It was allotted to 27 MU on 20th September 1939 and was received by them on 11th October 1939. It remained in store until it was flown to English Electric, Service Aircraft Section on 11th December 1940 for some form of work to be undertaken. Once complete it was flown to 27 MU on 7th February 1941. The aircraft was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 29th March 1941 shortly after it formed. On 8th May 1941 it sustained minor damage when it overshot on landing at Finningley. Cat.A/FA damage was probably the damage assessment as there is no mention of the incident on the aircraft's AM Form 78. The damage would have been repaired on site at Finningely and it resumed use by 25 O.T.U.. On 22nd July 1941 it crashed again at Finningley when the undercarriage collapsed. The AM Form 78 states that it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage but this would seem unlikely to have remained the situation as it was taken to a works repair facility on 28th July 1941 for a repair in works. It may have been upped to Cat.B damage for this to happen. It was ready for collection on 25th November 1941. On 20th December 1941 it was passed to 20 MU and remained there until 26th September 1942 when it went to 44 MU. A conversion to TB.1 status would have taken place during this period in MU store.
The aircraft was issued to 455 Squadron on 2nd September 1943. On 23rd December 1943 the aircraft had been placed into long term MU storage with 44 MU pending future requirements but on 3rd February 1944 it was struck off charge and broken up to be returned to produce.