Wellington BK505 at Finningley airfield.
During the afternoon of 2nd July 1943 this 18 O.T.U. aircraft took off from Finningley for a local flying exercise. While making a flapless landing at Finningley on the return at 17.25hrs a heavy landing caused a tyre to burst, the undercarriage collapsed by the time the aircraft came to rest and it was badly damaged.
Pilot - "Sgt J Cegta PAF."
Wellington BK505 was built to contract B.124362/40 by Vickers Armstrong's Ltd. at Hawarden and was awaiting collection in November 1942. It was received by 22 MU on 9th November 1942 and was taken on charge by 426 Squadron at Dishforth on 29th November 1942. As a result of battle damage sustained on 18th February 1943 minor Cat.Ac/FB damage resulted. It was repaired on site by a team from Vickers at Weybridge and was returned to 426 Squadron on 20th March 1943. It then suffered minor battle damage on 17th April 1943, Cat.A/FB damage was again the assessment and another repair on site was required. This incident is not recorded on it's AM Form 78 so was possibly less serious and repaired locally. On 24th April 1943 the aircraft was transferred to 18 O.T.U. at Finningley. On 2nd July 1943 it crash landed at Finningley, Cat.E2/FA damage was the damage assessment and it was written off. It was struck off charge on 11th July 1943.