Grostenquin France

The Sky Lancers

BR Campbell

I remember the July 13th formation practice mishap well. It was that day that my respect for the robust characteristics of the F-86 aircraft was reinforced. Because there was moderate turbulance that day, Tony Hannas increased our minimum recovery altitude to about 2,000 feet. In any event, we were executing a loop in diamond formation with a change to line-astearn over the top. On the recovery, with the line-astearn formation in about a 35 to 45 degree dive, the number three aircraft accidentally hit the rear of my F-86 from below. The nose of my aircraft abruptly pitched downward heading for the trees. I pulled 8 to 10G and recovered safely, immediately heading for Grostenquin at reduced power because of high exhaust temperature readings on my engine. Upon landing I was startled to find that the tailpipe opening was somewhat reduced and one side of the flying tail (elevator) was sheared off near the vertical stabilizer. Being able to pull 8 to 10G with only one side of the flying tail proved ample proof that the Sabre was indeed a sturdy aircraft.