I talked to Larry Scarinzi tonight, and told him about George Lieb. Larry, Red Reinhart and George Lieb flew together back in the 1940's and '50's. Larry told me a George Lieb story. (as follows)
in 1950, Controline Combat was just getting started. Two airplanes were flying combat; one was a Stuntwagon powered with a McCoy .60 on 65 foot lines flying against a homebuilt airplane powered by a Madewell .49 on 60 foot lines.
George Lieb was talking to Larry and a couple of other guys holding forth at length on some subject.
At this moment the Madewell .49 airplane (60 foot lines) cut the lines on the McCoy powered stuntwagon. The Stuntwagon went up about 100 feet, and started down heading for George Lieb and the guys. Larry and the guys hollered and ran back about 10 feet. George stood there, still talking, and the Stuntwagon hit the ground 5 feet from him. George just looked over at it, and kept talking. If you ever met George, you know what Larry was talking about.
About 15 years ago, George brought a Triumphant OTS airplane (his own design) powered with an Atwood Triumph .51 to Wichita to fly in OTS. Lew and I were judging OTS that day, and I remember the airplane moving fast and not turning tight. With a lighter engine it would have been a good flying airplane. George flew racing a lot at Wichita.
George Lieb was one of a kind; I'm saddened that he has passed.