("Douglas Paterson" wrote)
Thoughts:
It sounds like I want a Mooney for speed & fuel economy, a Dakota for
lifting, and Bonanza for size--or something like that! That brings me
back to my original request, for a means to make direct comparisons
between the various choices out there--I'm having trouble determining what
& how I need to make trade-offs without that sort of tool....


Navion?

http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/annex/an29.htm
http://www.warbirdalley.com/l17.htm

It'll lift almost as much as a Dakota and you'll have 'almost' a warbird -
if you choose to paint it as such. g

http://www.navionskies.com/Photos/Navions-Tour%20026.jpg

http://www.navionskies.com/Photos/Navions-Tour%20027.jpg

http://www.navionskies.com/Photos/Navions-Tour%20004.jpg


Montblack