medviation,
Thanks for an interesting and well presented post.
On the subject of lifting surfaces, particularly of the box design, a distant relative of mine published a number of papers on the subject.
His research produced a number of interesting findings which significantly advanced aviation technology.
You might have heard of him - Lawrence Hargrave.
p.s. He later regularly corresponded with and advised a couple of Americans called Wilbur and Orville.
Thankfully, he lived to see his dream realised - powered and controlled manned flight.
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