Re 'No checklists in those days – it was all in the head. In contrast today, one sees Cessna flying school checklists twice the length of the drills needed to fly a Mustang.'
Hi Centaurus,
I did my initial training at RACNSW on 'Chippies', and the drill was still then 'Left to right' across the cockpit, after 'Hatches and harness secure', then engine, then 'controls check'.
They were mostly all ex RAAF instructors.
Keep 'em coming.....
Cheers
:-)