Hersham Boy
As it happens I was at Coventry, watched the Ryan take-off, but looked away left just before the accident. Starting in 1951 I have watched 10 aircraft crash at airshows. Nine were classic pilot pigs and one you could argue about.
But in the context of your post (and NOT this very sad accident) I would like to raise the issue of walk around checks as I think they are not always done properly.
My experience of watching many pilots do such checks leads me to feel they are often a token ritual banging, thumping waggling set of actions, rather than a serious inspection of the aeroplane. Just one example will serve to illustrate the point I am making, namely what we can do to check an aileron.
At the very least we want to carefully stand in front of it, then using two hands, gently and with feeling, move it over its full range of travel while concentrating on assessing whether there is any lack of smoothness in the friction forces or small noise that might indicate something rubbing. Is there a nice smooth stop at full deflection both ways? Has the surface any abnormal end play? A quick grab and waggle as you pass by will not tell you these things. Depending on the type, what can you see of the condition of the hinges and wire locking of any associated bolts? What about evidence of lubrication or corrosion? Is the bonding wire in place? If there are bolts holding on a mass balance are they properly locked? If there are drain holes in the surface are they clear? What about backlash in the circuit (if you have a passenger or crew member ask them to hold the other one central while you carefully, again with feeling, try and detect free play on your side) I could go on but I am sure you get my point.
Of course if you have done several flights that day, your inspection can be much reduced. But not before the first flight. It is your neck, so do what you reasonably can to look after it.
What I like to see is a pilot who from different angles includes standing still and LOOKING at the aircraft. Really studying it.
Sorry I don't mean to rant
John