Kingy,
We used to race Cassutts, Betas, Cosmics at various venues in the UK in the `70`s-80`s, also in France, around the pylons, and occasionally at Handicap meetings.The ordinary Ct. with short wings/ square-tips went very fast, but was slow off the corners,as the induced drag was high. The better ones were those which had longer wings,better taper ratio, and built by Thompson/ Storey/Smith/Crossley. The fuselages were also "tailored" for slightly taller guys, and slightly longer as the a/c was always near the aft CoG limit.
Steve Thompson also made wooden props better matched for ferrying/cruise. Racing props were all metal, inspected meticulously before racing, x-ray/sonic /dye, as they had several resonance RPM bands, and could fracture , particularly if a "nick" on the blade was not treated,Racing RPM 3900-4200, on an 0-200, depending on what diameter/pitch prop you were running, which depended on the length/breadth of the race -course. Very much as per any form of racing- propellers were like a set of tyres/ sprockets/ gearbox ratios, if you took it all seriously, like a certain fraternity known to all as "The Midlands Mafia""; but they got beaten from time to time, usually by old-age and cunning.
Great fun, hair-raisig at 50ft at 230 mph , especially if you got someone elses turbulence, I have seen the grass thru` the top of the canopy!! The a/c is small, no room for bags if you want to go anywhere, and you need to be a good tailwheel driver as it`s very short-coupled, and with a spring-steel u/c is fun on grass, terryfying on tarmac.
Apart from all that would I do it all again?Of course I would, but would need to lose a little weight first.
