Grostenquin, France
Crash of F-86 Sabre 19234

Location of crash site - Crashed into high ground 4 miles WSW of the village of Holmfirth, South Yorkshire, and about 25 miles ENE of Manchester, UK - killing the pilot, F/O Pat Robinson.

Details of crash - This RCAF F-86 Sabre was on a test flight from Ringway, England.

Internment - F/O Pattee "Pat" Vernon Robinson. 32830. Aged 27. RCAF Pilot. Buried: North Luffenham (St. John the Baptist) Churchyard, Rutlan, UK.

Situation as of August 2002 - It is believed that some of the wreckage is still at the crash site.


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  1. Map (1.25 inches to 10 miles) showing the general area of the crash site.
    "X" marks the spot.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  2. Map (1 inch to a mile) showing the exact area of the crash site.
    "X" marks the spot.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  3. Crash of Sabre 19234.
    Courtesy Ron Collier.



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  1. Painting of 430 Squadron F-86 Sabre 19234 - 2001.
    Courtesy Alan Jones.

  2. Remains of Sabre 19234 at the crash site - 1996.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  3. Remains of the elevator and the forward fuselage - 1996.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  4. Remains of general wreckage - 1995.
    Courtesy David Earl.

  5. 430 Squadron personnel at 2 Wing Grostenquin, France - January 1953.
    Back row (L-R) Arch Debenham, Stan Keffer, Red McKay, Jim ?, Gerry Gagnon. Middle row (L-R) Neil Christie, Art Skidmore, Stew Banks, S/L Paul Gibbs, W/C "Stocky" Edwards. Front row (L-R) Les Sparrow, Ray Aitken, Jim Fiander, "Newt" Newsome, PV "Pat" Robinson (killed while flying air tests in England).
    Courtesy Neil Christie.


Photographic Credits

All photos are used with permission.

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Updated: August 24, 2002