Wellington BK188 at Finningley airfield.

On 11th October 1942 this 25 O.T.U. aircraft was taking off from Finningley airfield at 11.50hrs when it swung in a strong cross wind and, out of control, it crashed when the undercarriage collapsed.

Wellington BK188 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden, Chester and was received by 48 MU at Hawarden on 26th August 1942. It was immediately taken on charge by 25 O.T.U. at Finningley on 15th September 1942. As a result of the crash on 11th October 1942 Cat.B damage was the initial damage assessment but on 18th October 1942 it was re-assessed as more badly damaged than first though so was writtem off with Re.Cat.E2/FA damage being recorded. It was struck off charge on 18th October 1942.

Pilot - P/O Selwyn Jaques Lupton RAFVR (125539), of Darlington, Durham.

Selwyn Lupton was born in 1921 in the Middlesbrough area. As a young man he attended Leeds University where he gain a First Class Honours BSc Engineering degree. He received a commission in the RAFVR on 20th May 1942 to the rank of P/O on probation (emergency) rising to F/O on probation (war subs) on 20th November 1942. After completing his pilot training he was posted to 166 Squadron. He died on 16th April 1943 on Ops to Mannheim in Wellington HE862 when the aircraft suffered engine trouble it was ditched in the English Channel just off France. Sadly he and one other did not escape the sinking aircraft and were lost. Three escaped and were rescued but one of those sadly died. F/O Lupton was twenty two years old and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

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