Its soooo simple:
High powered 109s, don't put full throttle from idle and ya wont flip the plane. Same probly goes for don't drop throttle from full to idle either to fast either, might flip it. Now lets see facts in a positive light - high power with low weight usually equals speed. As for the gear mechanisms being closer to center axis, this meant better roll rates, but also is negatively interpreted as 'dangerous landing' only.
Haters of the 109s run their mouths a bout 'landing probs,' but they don't dare mention the positive that this meant higher speed and faster roll rates.
And the plane was crashed for that reason - to hide the positive part, so that it can't be proven.
National Pride translated into National Reputation and Security.
Its like the olympics, the planes were the best the countries could come up with, representative of the countries as a whole. Probs magnify because saying the spit is better or not, doesn't mean USA didn't save thier butts. England's secret service saw that tiny lil 60year ole plane as a threat to its dignity, history, reputation, and security. Proving Eric Brown a liar is proving England a liar for supporting and allowing him to record his trash. No nation wants to be known for twisting facts. And ofcourse England being able to 'hold its own' in reputation and military power has to do with its security now... Imagine the arabs saying 'Well, England said blah blah, but you know how those English lie..."