During my all-too-brief time in the RAF flying Chipmunks and JP3s, a walk round was mandatory, no matter what the circumstances were, or with consideration as to who was flying the aeroplane previously. That goes for all the pre and post start up items on the checklist as well. Miss anything out, and the FI would kick your arse. And these aircraft were maintained and looked after to a far higher degree than civil aircraft.
To therefore suggest, Bose-x, that these procedures are somehow unnecessary under any circumstances is ludicrous. You think the RAF are wasting their time instilling these disciplines?