DENIS SMITH wrote:

When I was flying in the Army (just after the
invention of the wheel!!) I was impressed with how
much effect the vortices of similar aircraft would
effect each other.  It is a very real possibility that
the steep turn described by observers of the RV spin
in was induced by the wakes of the preceeding aircraft
 and in attempting to recover the pilot exceeded the
angle of attack necessary to keep his aircraft from
stalling.  If his aircraft was in uncoordinated flight
(ball not centered) a spin would be likely.  Remember
from your spin training (those of you who are old
enough, or fortunate enough) at stall a spin is
induced by kicking left or right rudder.  I flew the
OV-1 (Grumman Mohawk) and we found that the vortices
of the lead bird was of sufficient strength to upset
the trailing aircraft up to 80 or 90 degrees in the
right circumstances.  Especially slower speeds.  This
has also been true of the lighter aircraft I have
flown over the years.  It's not a good idea to be in
close trail in the pattern' period!  If you do want to
do such a thing with your buddies, try to have
succeeding aircraft stacked a couple of hundred feet
above leading ones in the turns so they will have
relatively clean air to deal with.

 
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