Fascinating thread. Puts into perspective the modern computer controlled, reliable machines we fly now - where human factors are more likely to be the root of disaster than mechanical failure. Thankfully we don't have the same loss rate anymore. Much respect to the guys who learned their stuff the hard way.
Incidentally, I witnessed the Vintage Pair accident at Mildenhall back in 1985 (my first, but sadly not last, exposure to the risks of aviation)- was that caused by a Meteor phenomenon as described above?