Wellington BJ620 (possibly) undamaged landing at Bircotes airfield.

On 24th October 1942 this 25 Operational Training Unit aircraft was being flown on a training exercise north west of Middlesbrough the aircraft began to ice up. Fearing control would be lost the pilot told the crew to stand by to bale out but did not give the order to do so. Three members of the crew baled out after hearing the warning given by the pilot and received injuries on landing. The location for the baling out is given as 10 miles North West of Middlesbrough on the Form 551 for those injured and this is over Durham. The pilot then appears to have regained control and he, with the rest of the crew remained in the aircraft and a safe landing was made at what was described as a satellite airfield of 25 O.T.U. This was probably at Bircotes and which was outside of Yorkshire. The first five named below were posted to 25 OTU in mid-June 1942 and had crashed Wellington T2715 onto Dufton Fell in the North Pennines on 20th August 1942 in poor weather. It was felt that they knew of their proximity to the Pennines and had opted to bale out rather than risk flying into high ground again. No damage is stated in the unit records. That said, just days later during a check of the aircraft appears to have located some damage that may be linked to this incident.

Pilot - Sgt Basil Glynn Crew RCAF (R/94565).

Wireless Operator / Air Gunner - Sgt Joseph Edward Collinson RCAF (R/78968). Baled out. Injured.

Air Gunner - Sgt Harold Nelson RAFVR (969187). Baled out. Injured.

Navigator - Sgt Robert Lyster Skillen RCAF (R/79352)

Bomb Aimer - Sgt Hugh William Campbell RCAF (R/95954)

Navigator - Sgt David Ramsey Oliver RAFVR (1478530). Baled out. Injured.

Wellington BJ620 was built by Vickers at Chester and was received by 48 M.U. on 20th June 1942. It was taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 28th August 1942. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that on 2nd November 1942 during some form of inspection or check damage was located that then required a team from Fairfields to correct the problem. It was repaired and servicable within a short period of time. On 12th December 1942 the aircraft crashed in Leicestershire sustaining Cat.E damage that saw it written off. The aircraft was struck off charge on 20th December 1942.

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