One of the best courses I ever did in the mob was the two week full flying authorisers course at Bentley Priory. Great course, great bunch of mates, great stories. Both the B52 and Cranwell F4 were presented (as well as South Cerney and the Puma on the Spanish??? parade ground). They were presented by the some of the top aviation shrinks on the planet and they tackled angles otherwise left unseen. Their view of the Cranwell F4...seriously *****ed flight planning, putting the "offending" pilot in a tight spot, which he did well to recover from.
The Bud Holland story is truly staggering to any aviator with an ethos based in professionalism. As Air Pig points out his disregard for limits was well known, to the extent that several sqn members had risked their careers by refusing to fly with him. Conversely a couple of the Sqn execs who were sticking up for him, were in the aircraft on the day.
As for the South Cerney Herc...again the story beggars belief...as does the eventual outcome (and I'm not referring to the fatality).
These incidents have a common theme. Breaking established rule and limits are usually an act of ego and showmanship, which in itself demonstrates aircrew who have conciously and deliberately decided to prioritise their hubris at the expense of their professionalism. From that point on outcomes become as much about fate and chance as anything else.
Sometimes they get away with...often leaving spectacular footage to challenge the minds of like-minded peers. Sometimes they kill themselves. And sometimes they kill a whole lot of other people.
On a lighter note...the video of the Puma and parade ground is well funny (no casualties). Wouldn't mind seeing that again.