On 2nd August 1939 this 185 Squadron aeroplane overshot on landing at Thornaby aerodrome in heavy rain and was slightly damaged when it ran through the boundary hedge.
Pilot - Acting P/O Keith Brooke-Taylor RAF (41251), of Wellington City, New Zealand.
Keith Brooke-Taylor received a commission to the rank of Acting P/O on probation on an unknown date but probably in mid-1938. He was graded as P/O on 29th August 1939. He was killed on 7th April 1940 serving with 83 Squadron when Hampden L4054 crashed near St.Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay. Fellow ACIA air historian Russell Gray located the crash site with assistance from Ken Reast, Albert Pritchard and Eric Barton in 2007, with Russ and family members of one other member of the crew of L4054 erected a memorial on the lighthouse. Keith Brooke-Taylor was twenty one years old and is buried at Chevington Cemetery, Northumberland. His brother Sgt Rex Brooke-Taylor was killed on 30th December 1940 in New Zealand flying in Oxford R6226.
Hampden L4196 was built to contract 549267/36 by Handley Page at Radlett. It was allotted to 185 Squadron on 24th May 1939 and was taken on charge by them at Thornaby on 6th June 1939. Cat.M/FA damage was recorded as a result of the incident at Thornaby and it appears to have been repaired on site there with it continuing to serve with 185 Squadron for some months. On 5th January 1940 it was flown to Rollasons / 4 MU, possibly for a major service. On 1st July 1940 it passed to 8 MU and on 14th February 1941 it went to English Electric, Service Aircraft Section. On 27th March 1941 it was flown back to 8 MU and was then taken on charge by 14 OTU on 16th July 1941. It suffered a mishap on 10th or 11th June 1942 that was initially assessed as minor Cat.A damage. This damage may have been repaired on site or been deemed more serious. On 17th August 1942 it received Cat.B damage so it as transported to a works factory on 25th August 1942 for repair. The aircraft later passed to 23 MU on 17th November 1942. On 2nd June 1943 it sustained Cat.Ac/FA damage in a minro flying accident. Once repaired a few days later it was taken on charge by 5 (C)OTU on 11th June 1943. It then sustained further Cat.Ac damage later in June 1943 with it returned to 5 (C)OTU once repaired. On 19th October 1943 it was flown into store at 44 MU and was struck off charge on 24th January 1944.