I've been quietly following this thread and your criticisms to Dick's points regarding induced drag, lift etc.

I can no longer stay quiet.

You are heavily involved in a 'jot and tittle' clarification through some well meant (perhaps) criticism of Dick's plainly stated 'aerodynamic principles/conclusions'---{the I've done it and this is what happens school}-- while you appear to be placing yourself in a 'this doesn't pass muster' and incidentally, I'm far above it all elitist position. Your personal profile would seem to preclude your having any real authority to adopt this rather vaulted position. Perhaps there is much you have left out of your profile, but at this point, those are the facts.

I know of a number of Dick's very successful designs in Pattern, TOC, IMAC etc. Perhaps you should enlighten us all by posting some of your successful designs so that all may see and evaluate your background, which you feel entitles you to 'correct and/or pass judgment', with some inherent disdain incidentally, on the comments made by someone who is well known and quite successful in the very field in which you wish to occupy a self appointed position of 'learned critic'.

From where I sit, and I've had a few thousand hours of flight experience in this hobby we've got a proven designer/experimenter (Dick) politely responding to condescending comments from someone who has close to no credentials (you) . My 'jot and tittle' comment stands.

Since I am no match for Dick in the 'what makes them fly' category, I have nothing further to offer. My 45 years plus in building, operating and personal designs/modifications thoroughly aligns me with Dick's comments. You Sir are simply splitting hairs!