Hi to all,
I am just getting "back" into pattern (current Turn around) after being gone for 19 years. I flew a Bootlegger & an Arrow competitively at the 1982 & 1983 US Nats (15th & 17th in Masters, I think). I also flew a Tigertail III and a Compensator (all Southern R/C designs except the MK Arrow) in Novice & Advanced classes. My take on the designs was the swept back wing styles were better at rolling manuvers and the tapered wing design, including the tapered front with straight trailing edge were better in looping type of manuvers. I am not sure what the restrictions on classic pattern are but here is my opinion of these aircraft in order of ease of flying and competitiveness. The Tiger Tail was the easiest to fly and worked great for the early patterns, the Compensator was slightly better at rolls and flew a little faster, the Bootlegger was a GREAT compromise between rolling and looping, The Arrow was the BEST aircraft I may have ever flown, BUT it flew VERY fast.

I know this is not a sampling of everything that was flying at that time, but I hope I may have been helpful.

Chuck East