Jim's thread got me thinking.  Which was the best pilot to not have won the Nats instead of the plane.  Gene Schaffer would probably be on the top my list along with Windy. 

This question has come up before on another forum.  People who have been around for a while will have their favorites and probably most of these "favorates" show up on Bob Hunt's list above.  Gene Schaffer certainly deserves at or near the top of any such list.

For the record, in addition to Bob's list above, here are some others who have finished second in the Open event at the Nats but never won:

Robert Haren  ('59)
Thorton Hoffman  ('53)
Charles Lickliter ('61)
Dick Mathis ('67)*
Charles Reeves ('66)
Gerald Wagner ('57)
Malcolm Windham ('56)
J.C. Yates ('47, '48)

Notes: 

Some familiar names and some not-so-familiar names.  Interesting.

* Dick Mathis  had high flight points in '64 but finished 4th with appearance points.  His moodel was covered and trimmed with Jap tissue, all clear dope.  I thought the airplane looked really good, but he took a beating on the appearance points.

A Senior (Dennis Adamisin) won the Walker Cup in 72 because appearance points are not included in the flyoff score.  I do not know if there are other instances when the Walker Cup was won or lost because appearance points are not used in the flyoff score.

Also,

Hasn't Ted be second more that a time or two?

Jim Pollock   

Also,

Hasn't Ted be second more that a time or two?

Jim Pollock   

Yes, Ted Fancher has placed second several times, ('78, '81, '92, '93, '97, '02, '03) but he has won several times also, ('82, '86, '95, '00,) so he does not qualify for this list of "best pilots to not have won the Nats".  Ted has been in the top five at the Nats at least 25 times.   And he has placed at the World Championships (4th in 82, 5th in 94)REMARKABLE!!!!!

Yes, Ted Fancher has placed second several times, ('78, '81, '92, '93, '97, '02, '03) but he has won several times also, ('82, '86, '95, '00,) so he does not qualify for this list of "best pilots to not have won the Nats".  Ted has been in the top five at the Nats at least 25 times.   And he has placed at the World Championships (4th in 82, 5th in 94)REMARKABLE!!!!!

    And '06. Point being, Shareen's rampant cheating was not too effective.

     Brett

Where did Ted place at the 2004 World Championships?

Ted was 10th at the '04 World Championships.  My omission on his list of accomplishments above was a real mistake on my part.

Keith

At least Bob Baron made it before he left us.  How many people have tried and never even made top twenty, let alone the top ten.  DOC Holliday

I have the 96 Nats videos from Windy and during the awards, Bob Baron said his mother would not die until he won the walker cup.

Oh yeah!

I just remembered my sentimental favorite!  Would've won I think but had an overrun?  TOM WARDEN!

Jim Pollock 

Hi Randy,

I think that has happened several times over the years. Fortunately, no appearance points in the Walker fly off.  Just you flying skill!

Jim Pollock 

Yeah Randy,

Top 5 is a really tough fly off.  1-2 appearance points can make a huge difference in 2 flights.

Jim Pollock