...press button (on throttle grip) and pull, pull, pull for dear life - literally - five seconds too late and you're dead.
Danny, your literary style has us all squashed deep into our seats as we vicariously pull out of our own imaginary dives behind you. Your description brings home the devastating accuracy of the dive bomber and what made it a must have ingredient of any Air Force's toy box in the 30's. Those that went on using it into the 40's however must have known full well how dangerous it was, following the mauling the Stukas received in the Battle of Britain. Much respect then to them. Much respect then to you and to your colleagues!