Wellington HE425 at Finningley airfield.
On the night of 24th / 25th May 1944 this 18 O.T.U. aircraft was being flown on a cross country training exercise when during the flight the pilot noticed a dark object enter the fuselage near the camera hatch which caused the aircraft to swing slightly to port. He then realised that the aircraft had been in collision with another. The Wellington lost air speed and also began to loose height slowly. It was also realised that the gyro compass was around 100 degrees off course. Control was regained and course was eventually set for base of Finningley. They were over Finningley at 02.54hrs and permission to land was given but the undercarriage would not lower using either the hydraulic system or the hand pump and the flaps were also unservicable. A belly landing appears to have been made at 03.02hrs. The aircraft's AM Form 78 states that only Cat.Ac/FA damage resulted, this was minor damage so I question whether a belly landing was made which would probably cause more serious damage.
Crew - Names unknown.