I flew an Escape in competition in 1988 or 89. It wasn't planned but in short order I lost my Avanti (shot down) and Joker (dumb thumbs) and felt this was the quickest way to get another model ready and I was also short on funds to go out and get a new glass/foam kit. The top models of the time were the Aurora, Atlanta, LA-1, Summit, etc...yet where I flew in the Southeast there were still some incredible fliers (older guys) winning contests in Expert and Masters with Arrows and Tipos! Keep in mind these were the days when the only "turnaround" style sequence was FAI so every other class could fly out and build up a head of steam for the one centered manuever each pass.

Anyway, in short I loved the way the Escape flew. I substitued 1/16" contest balsa for the wing skins, I think the kit had 3/32" heavy balsa, and made a few tweaks I had read about in the NSRCA newsletter but nothing major. Finished mine with glass cloth and K&B paint and used an OS RF pumped 61 & Hatori pipe; was also a taildragger with MK retracts. I was only flying Sportsman (would be Intermediate today as back then there was a Novice class) and didn't feel the airplane had any bad traits. I flew pattern because I enjoyed the competition, liked the models flown at the time, and enjoyed hanging out with a good group of people but I was only going to be a mid-pack finisher regardless of which airplane I flew. I dont feel the Escape was a hindrance in the lower few classes, and probably good through Expert but I think I only saw 1 other flown in competition. They were past their prime already and had no 'pizzaz' points; lets face it, compared to an Aurora it was pretty dorky looking. Certainly did fly well though.