I don't go thru and make full drawings but I do a lot of freehand sketchs on grid paper. You like the clasics - kewl! Personally I do not like classics, so I gave myself an "assignment" to try to design a classic shape that I liked: started with a basic classic shape, changed this and that, added or took away something else Then while building I got a couple other ideas and added them in - all ended up being the Mythbuster you saw in PA. Want to go back and build something more like the original sketch some day...
For the excercise: try designing in other generes; jets, modern, upright engine, 'lectric (gasp!) anything that forces you to look at different aesthetics and get familiar with them.
I like looking at what's been published. Example: Dave Gierke's Novi, Novi 3 and All American Eagle all have a lot of similar design elements in them. I saw all 3 of the originals when Dave was campaigning them. For me the Novi 3 absolutely blows the others away. That's odd because the AAE is very similar to the N3. Principle difference is in the canopy and the tail cone - but AAE seems to lose something. Thus, sometimes I do my interpretation of other peoples designs; pick and choose among features I like, and try re-combining them - I use this exercise as a thought starter. Dave did something else I like; for Novi 4 he broke with all the predecessors - the only piece he kept was the cowl - cuz he had a fiberglass mold! Yet the N4 still has Daves "personailty" in it, and the N4 strongly influenced countless designs since.
Was looking at the Sting Ray article last nite. I like everything about it except the wing tips - I would have to reverse the tips if I built one - but then it would not be a Sting Ray anymore! OK if its not truly a Sting Ray then what OTHER changes would I make; get out the sketchpad. We built several birds that used Mirage 3 airfoils, but NONE of ours had those gawd-awfull wingtips. Speaking of wnigtips, don't get me started on Airon, Apteriyx, Avanti, Barracuda, Cardinal, LaDonna, USA-1, etc. I have a Cardinal kit, the only reason I might build it is to FIX THOSE DARNED WINGTIPS!!! Acutally if I built it I would reverse all the tips and the fin thus improving the aesthetics by maybe 1000% - and call it "LANIDRAC"
Try sketching features: cowls with scoops (!!!) or without, cheek cowls, radial cowls, upright with speed bonnet, different wing shapes, different wing tips (did I mention I HATE swept forward tips?), different canopies, and all kind of different fins Fins FINS!!!! Oh yeah, don't forget V-tails, droop tails, high tails, low tails, twin tails, stinger tails - you get the idea.
For a real challenge try taking stunt "numbers" and try designing semi-scale around them. It really compells you interpret the personality of the the prototype, and translate it into CLPA-friendly package...
All you need lots of paper, PENCILS, and a big eraser.
What's in a name? All I can say is that it will come to you. I have started some sketches based on a possible name. For example, I took the word "Extreme" and started sketching an extreme stunter. Along the way it became the "No Prisoners" I could show you the sketches - but then I'd have to shoot you...