Lou- your write up is about a dead ringer from what I studied (on my own).
When I tried to boil it down to what I build/fly- my models all fell into the "very low R" catagory.
so I simply tried different airfoils for aerobatic models and found that they did not mean much -if anything --except for rigidity.
The thinner /lighter stiffer the wings got the better the models worked.
On another note ---
I don't see much mention in this forum regarding airframe construction and power plant developement.
My own gut feeling is that improvements in engines and airframe materials influence development in aircraft - far more than any changes /improvements in the aerodynamics leg of this 3 legged stool.
What do you think?