In their prime " Time machine top 20 "

[PJ Rowland]

Ok so I dont want this to turn into a flame thread where people argue vehemently for their said case.

I was following a previous thread about best non published stunt design.. and within that thread the knowledgable Ted fancher wrote about his view on Les McDonald in his prime winning multiple world champs with the stiletto ..

It reads ;
Les fly in his prime.  I flew a trip to a Miami layover back in the '70s or so and conned Les into taking me flying with him...I'd launch and watch and he'd fly.  After watching half a dozen or so I realized that what I'd been so proud of doing myself left a lot to be desired.  I went home and worked harder.  Come 1982 I had gotten better and accompanied the then defending World Champ Les to the WCs in Sweden.  After he kicked everybody's butts to win his second in a row WC I again went home feeling much the same way as I did the first time I shared a field with him.

At the end of my long "career" flying the things I had seen a lot of great flights by a lot of great pilots...none of which I could say with assurance were more accurate than what I saw in Miami a few decades previously.

I hasten to point out that both cases of which I wrote were under pretty ideal conditions. "
- Ted Fancher.


Now I personally wasnt there but the purpose of this thread was to hear other stories of a similar moment where the flier competed and was in his prime flight.and trim. Where noone was close in the race for 2nd. It doesnt have to be an official flight it could be practice you witnessed. 

It would be interesting to hear different fliers and if you had a time machine to have a contest Nats Greatest of all time. Who would make the Top 20.. who would be in a Top 5..

And would there be a clear winner?

Ive personally witnessed a flight done by a fellow Australian Mark Batty who won multiple oz nats open titles. When he won his 3rd the flight was as close to carving out a rule book pattern as ive ever seen. Very very deep into corners before a quick snap turm to.5ft and sat.. never wavering. Loops.. squares.. intersections.. it was rule book quality drawings.

I remember watching and commenting at any event this would be difficult to ever beat. My personal veiw was he was untouchable in terms of thinking i could GET to that level let alone sustain it flight after flight .

He won 3 rounds in convincing fashion being the only flier in the field to average over 1000 points per flight.  ( 580+ )

I personally came 4th in open but at no stage did I feel 3rd or 2nd were within reach of 1st..

That would get my vote.. but Ive also heard stories of Paul Walker flying the 1992..93..94.. Impact / Tuned pipe 40 and being untouchable.

There have been a few people to dominate the sport through various methods.. but even amongst legends the quality at some.point will drop off.and new people rise.

Golf.. tennis.. boxing..

Whats your 2000 Tiger Stunt story .. who do you think would be a shoe in for a Top20 / Top.5 flight.

Its just for a bit of fun.. bit will pay respect to the flier.

[Randy Cuberly]

After watching him fly an incredible 600 slight score with, of all things, a Ringmaster and a .25 engine, in incredible wind, I would have to say Joe Gilbert is going to be the "Man of the future in Stunt circles".

Randy Cuberly

[Larry Renger]

Joe is a great human being, and I am in awe of his skill, but despite taking both Classic And Old time with a Ringmaster, Jim Hoffman beat him in the Ringmaster event. Go figure!

Could it be the exponential handle Jim uses? (Blatant, self serving plug).