[Robe]

I was browsing around last night and came across a site that was discussing the crash. I was real puzzeling not to be able to see the pilot in the cockpit, considering it was modified and VERY tight fit.
Someone did some quick research and discovered someone took a pic of the A/C parked on the ground and manipulated the photo to show it in the air. The perp didn’t take the time to deal with the extended tailwheel and a missing pilot

[I cannot think of a name]

I thought the same thing at first, but have begun to think otherwise. If you look at the photo in 103, it is obvious that his shoulder harnesses are on a long inertia reel to let him look for the pylons. And if you look at the view looking into the plane at the following link:

http://www.pprune.org/private-flying/463880-big-crash-reno-3.html

It looks as if we may be seeing his helmet indicating he was all the way forward. Really wish I could find that picture in higher res, as it may just be a reflection

[Atlas Sneezed]

Someone did some quick research and discovered someone took a pic of the A/C parked on the ground and manipulated the photo to show it in the air. The perp didn’t take the time to deal with the extended tailwheel and a missing pilot

Are you suggesting the the Seattle Times published a photoshopped photo?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2016234004_apusairshowcrash.html

Same photographer credited as here:

http://www.theunion.com/article/20110919/NEWS/110919777/1066&ParentProfile=1053

Here is the contrast-enhanced version of the post-failure photo. Is that a helmet leaning forward in the cockpit? (Maybe it's just the instrument cowl.)