When the military flew P-51s, was it common to do a formation landing? Takes offs, sure, but landings? I've also read that the A model is very difficult to see out of. I would think that is especially true during landing.
Prayers to Gerry Beck's family and friends. He was an irreplaceable, driving force in the warbird community.
More info here.
This makes absolutely no sense to have these planes in the same vicinity much less trying to land next to each other. This is just beyond stupid. The p51B Pilot exploded in flames and for what? who the hell is worth impressing to end up like that? His family has to see that?
My word that is just terrible.
As a former South African Air Force pilot who was trained in 50’ operational low flying , landing at night in headlight beams, close formation flying and some formation aerobatics, we practiced formation take offs but formation landings were discontinued around 1973, if memory serves, due to the risk outweighing the benefits. Instead the formation would come low overhead, break and do separate patterns and landings.
Most people are not situated at the undershoot area and threshold so they don’t see the art and skill required. The loss to the exhibition at air shows was minimal.