I bought Norm Whittle's last IC plane, actually got my hands on it late last season, but had some health problems (tinnitus, sinus infection, etc) and didn't really get any good experience with it until mid-summer this year. Didn't go to the Jim Walker Memorial or Regionals, so flew in only 5 contests this year. One or two were with the old profile F'Twister, because I wasn't comfortable with the new dog yet. In the first 4, I placed 2nd twice and 1st twice, so I received some "encouragement" to move up, and I decided to make the move for the 5th, which was yesterday. My first flight sucked, but my 2nd round was about what I can usually do. I was ok with it, for which the Judges awarded me 489.5 IIRC. Not the highest score I've ever gotten, but it got me 8th in Expert, which was ok, though I had hopes of getting a 135 point landing on my 2nd round and nipping Paul, Howard, and Chris, at least. None of the other 7 entries stepped on their privates and gave me anything at all to gloat over.
While driving home from Salem, I had some thoughts about ground equipment (remote glow power and "shore power" of some sort) for next year. New, lighter version of the same plane, but with a PA .51/pipe power instead of the .46VF (more power, ohh ooh ooh!). I'd like a Classic and maybe even a new Profile, or more likely, a Classic Profile. It's time to get the balsa out.
Steve