Thanks Machinbird. It makes sense to me. I saw Red Baron with Steve Hinton and its six blades chopping up the air I think it was '80.
I did not see LearFang, but saw Rare Bear with Lyle Shelton in it when it was wide winged and all Navy Blue. I think Strega was all Red at one time, and forget the name of the lime colored P-51.
Hinton's Engine seized, and the props stopped just as he was about to land after a Mayday. He impacted over the hill on (near) 08 and the plume of black smoke was visible for five minutes before the announcer said he'd died. There was absolute quiet, it was near the end of the day, and everyone walked to their cars in disbelief.
He survived. These guys are a breed apart, and they take monster risks.
I've been to the show at Reno dozens of times. It doesn't get old.
There is something about a half dozen unlimiteds with 18000 horsepower that touches ones soul. Charging down the start, everything vibrates.
I fon't know who said it first, but it's rumored to be Lyle Shelton.
"What do you do at Reno, Sir?"
"We turn money into noise".