Wellington R1458 at Finningley airfield.
On 16th July 1942 a tyre of this 25 O.T.U. aircraft burst on take off (presumably) from Finningley airfield, the pilot raised the undercarriage and the aircraft came to rest on it's belly. Minor damage resulted.
Crew - Names unknown.
Wellington R1458 was built to contract 992424/39 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in January 1941. The aircraft was received by 37 MU on 29th January 1941 and was taken on charge by 75 Squadron on 28th February 1942. It passed to 311 Squadron on 16th June 1941 and returned to 75 Squadron on 18th November 1941. On 25th November 1941 it passed to 101 Squadron before arriving at 25 O.T.U. on 10th December 1941. As a result of the damage sustained on 16th July 1942 Cat.Ac/FA damage was the assessment and it was repaired on site by a team from Fairfields. It was returned to 25 O.T.U. on 1st August 1942 though was then transferred to 28 O.T.U. on 7th September 1942 at Wymeswold. It sustained Cat.B/FA damage as a result of a flying accident on 7th August 1943 that saw it be repaired in the works factory at Sywell. Once repaired it passed to 18 MU and was then taken on charge by 1 A.A.S. at Manby on 15th March 1944. It was struck off charge on 24th June 1944 following a major inspection.