I have been competing in various Musciano Meets (MI and VA) for almost a decade now, and have either scratch built, built from a kit, or restored about two dozen Scientific designs by Walt. As you probably know, these 1/2As must have solid wings to be eligible (also, hollow log fuselages). Over the years, I have found that these little models fly quite well. The typical span is only 18", with the largest 24". Also, most of the later '60s models have only a 1/8" "section", although some of the '50s ones go about 7/32nds, and you try to sand some semblance of an airfoil into all of them. The key is lightness. The builder needs to sweat every gram out of the model, which means contest balsa, and a compulsive approach to hollowing the fuse. Also balance, and a steady engine run, usually a Black Widow, which is about the most powerful Cox allowed here. I have seen bipe and high wing designs do well, along with the more conventional types.
They can do much of the Pattern (although not asked to, per contest rules), and maybe there are a few skilled pilots who can horse these things into something semi-recognizable as the Pattern, although I am not one of them.
That said, the built up wing still will be superior in pure stuntability. You can fly them at a slower speed, and they provide more lift. You can observe this in the Unlimited part of the Musciano, where any of Walt's models can be flown (can even be scaled up or down), and there also are plenty of 1/2A models to choose from. Currell