Although using downthrust with less wing and stab incidence isn't exactly the same thing, it has a similar effect as using no downthrust and 2° or more positive incidence. A lot of planes from the '60s - like the Sun Fli's - did use downthrust and only a small amount of positive in the wing. But, they were also flying with more power than the P-63.

I guess thrust to weight ratios of 1:1 or greater were probably impossible to imagine back then for planes of this size. I guess it really wasn't until the stronger sixties and lighter radio gear came along that 1:1 thrust to weight ratios became realistic. A typical cross-flow sixty spun an 11x7 between 12, 000 and 12,500 rpm. That's about 6 to 6 1/2lbs. of static thrust. A Kwik Fli or Kaos w/o retracts could be built that light.

David