Great story Andre, Although I don't remember the occasion quite as vividly, I transported a half dozen of those planes to the Nats that year. My first Nats. Larry was quite busy at the bike shop in those days so he flew out. Since I only flew one or two events, I had plenty of room. It was huge fun even though I didn't win, or even come close! Profile Carrier. Missed landings. Fox .36xrc, of course. My hand was shaking with excitement. Took a few years but I finally got there! I do remember getting to meet some of the 'real' combat guys at that session. Maybe I saw you fly but just can't recall........ahhh. TS
PS Tom L. has become the LS combat plane historian and achivist. His work really does justice to those designs. Actually, there are several fellows around here, who were the 'kids' in the Fighting UMAC'ers , that turn out some extraordinary airplanes. There may be more but I am thinking of Tom Luciano, Paul Riskala, Frank Imbriaco and, last but not least, Bob Hunt.