In some ways planes of the ballistic pattern era were more complex than today’s F3A ships. They had variable pitch props, retracts, flaps, air brakes, wheel brakes, inflight needle valve adjustment, etc... It was Hanno Prettner’s call for simplicity (and winning the world championships with the Calypso) and a turnaround schedule that demanded lighter wing loadings that put an end to most of the gee-whizzery.
