Roughly speaking the Mk26 has 1/4 the mass, 4/5 the linear dimensions, and 1/6 the power of an early model spit. So, it has to be assessed very much as an aeroplane in its own right.
There must be sonebody who has flown a Mk26 and, say, a Mk5 so can do a direct comparison. I'd love to ssy that that's me - but sadly it isn't.
Re:USN people - I've had a lot to do with the US flight test community and know some with a lot of little aeroplane experience who have much to offer in this regard. But, it isn't automatic - there are plenty who have never flown a piston prop.
G