The downwind turn is right up there with extra gunmen on the grassy knoll, all myth.
Hi Nick
Agreed up to a point. The maths/physics is indisputable as you and others have made clear. BUT and it is a big but: Gusts are another matter.
Things change if you are flying low and slow and are hit by a gust up your backside. Gusts are the issue here, not 'steady' winds.
In a strong low level wind there WILL be gusts. How big varies and how bad depends on how slowly your machine normally flies.
When the gust speed reaches say 50% of your normal flying speed then they can be a pretty hairy influence if you take one up the backside following a turn.
Personally I think this is still something for GA pilots to keep in the back of their mind when flying on a very windy (and therefore gusty) day.
JF