That's right, Lowtimer, as you say the '52 is no tourer - not quick for the power (360 bhp), very thirsty, and no luggage space. But as I said in my 'Pilot' article a while back, that's not its forte.
Not only is it aerobatically unlimited, it can also do vertical take-offs. Line up, apply full power, when airbourne raise the gear and hold the aeroplane down in level flight as it rapidly accelerates and the gear locks 'up' (needs increasing forward pressure on the stick - don't ding the prop!). When the trees at the far end of the runway are filling the windscreen, ease off the forward pressure and you can climb literally vertically for several hundred feet. But don't do it unless you've practiced it using steeper and steeper climbs first, you are current, and 'in the groove'.
Don't try it in a 172 (or even a Chippy)!
SSD