This is not the thread that I would have expected this discussion.
Randy said: "I agree Ted , bigger is not always better, and picking a plane that fits the hemisphere your playing in, and matching plane and power is best!"
I couldn't agree more with Randy and Ted. When Lew had the Shark 45 at the '61 Nats, people commented that it was too big for the circle. Then airplanes got bigger. The Fox powered ships had reached the larger end of the envelope and while the Shark 45 was bigger, the common thread was that they were both behind the power curve. Then we learned the advantage of power.
Now the .35 ship looks too small when flown back to back with the larger airplanes. This is perception, but it is true.
I have always felt that something between the Behemoths and the Classic size is probably what we need. Thankfully many of our best flyers are now saying the same thing.
Some recent flights on my .46 powered Classic "Jerseyan" have resulted in great comments and the realization that it is just comfortable to fly and has great penetration. . A slightly larger "tweener" airplane should be ideal.
The size and horsepower race may have created some extremes, but this could be the beginning of an even better era.
As Randy said: "picking a plane that fits the hemisphere your playing in, and matching plane and power is best!"