Hampden AD857 at Sherburn in Elmet airfield.
This aircraft had been having modifications carried out on it in the weeks prior to this incident. On 18th May 1943 the aircraft was on the process of being ferried to it's new unit by the ATA when it suffered port engine failure on take off from Sherburn in Elmet airfield. A close circuit of the airfield was made and was force landed immediately at 11.50hrs. The undercarriage had not fully locked down when the aircraft touched down and it collapsed. It was being ferried between the Rollason's repair factory at Tollerton and 44 MU when the incident happened.
Pilot - F/Cpt John Ervin Martens ATA (M.284).
John Martens was born on 5th May 1909 in Weybridge, Surrey. He gained his Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificate (Cert.No.16824) at the Ipswich Aero Club on 3rd January 1939. He was injured ferrying Hampden P2113 on 23rd October 1943 when it crash landed near Westnewton, Cumbria after suffering engine failure. He fought a fire in the aircraft after it had crashed, entering the burning aircraft to obtain fire extinguishers. Having served in the ATA for some time and while in the rank of Flight Captain he was later awarded the King's Commendation for valuable service in the air with 6 FPP, Gazetted on 1st January 1946.
Hampden AD857 was built by English Electric and was received by 44 MU on 26th February 1941. It was taken on charge by 106 Squadron on 1st June 1941 and on 8th November 1941 Cat.B/FA damage. The aircraft was transported away for a repair in works and once complete it arrived at 44 MU on 26th June 1942. On 31st July 1942 it was taken on charge by 408 Squadron. By mid-September 1942 it was back in MU store. The aircraft then spent some months between various works factories and repair facilities. On 5th May 1943 it was taken to Rollason's at Tollerton. On 18th May 1943 it was due to be received by 44 MU when the mishap occurred at Sherburn in Elmet. Cat.B/FA damage resulted on 18th May 1943. The aircraft was eventually taken back to Rollason's at Tollerton on 13th October 1943 but was not repaired. It was struck off charge on 21st December 1943.