Big John wrote:
Dudley

We're saying almost the same thing. Maybe the same just using slightly
different words.

As you say, I'm almost sure Bech lost sight of #1 as he had full wing
over lap with initial contact. If he could have seen #1 then he could
easily have slid out to left and probably cleard lead.

People keep talking about formation landing. There is no evidence of
that. #2 had normal but close spacing on #1 and after not controling
his airspeed closed to the impact point.

Probably need to put this to bed and wait for NTSB results.

Bottom line of course is it's a bloody shame. As the Brits would say.

Big John
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The one thing you don't want to lose sight of with all this John is that
the recommendation considered standard for civilians flying Mustangs as
that advice would relate to a section landing gives MUCH more
longitudinal separation room required between the landing P51's....as
much as 3000 feet actually then was the case at Oshkosh. Even with a
high degree of experience, a civilian landing a P51 would be well
advised by any of the powers that be, not to mention myself, to adhere
to this long separation when landing 2 P51's out of a formation pattern.
Usually this would be done from a 360 overhead with spacing on the pitch
out to allow for this 3000 foot minimum longitudinal separation on the
active runway.

Dudley Henriques