Was once flying as leader of a four ship close formation. Although the Bulldog wasn't exceptionally well blessed in the thrust department, it was a good aircraft for formation flying.
We used to take off as two pairs with 10 second spacing and would join up into a four asap. This time the CFI was number four. As we climbed steadily out, he was nowhere to be seen. After a few seconds he called, in a grumpy voice "Buster, BUSTER!
"
(Buster meant "Back on the power, I can't keep up").
I slowed down. He still took a long time to join up. He made some further comment about climb power settings. I looked back at him and said just one word. "Flaps"! At the same time someone else in the formation transmitted the same word.
He said nothing more but I watched his face:
