The net effect of these expert aircraft modifications, combined with his excellent piloting skills, was that (to their amazement and chagrin) Combs was often able to fly farther and faster than the other members of the Crystal Squadron, many of whom had spent three or four times the money on far newer "state of the art" sailplanes. This served only to further perpetuate the "irascible genius" legend, long after his Skunk Works days had passed.
By integrating these expert aircraft modifications with his superior piloting skills, Combs was able to outperform other Crystal Squadron members who had spent considerably more on newer "state-of-the-art" sailplanes. This further solidified the notion of him as an irascible genius, long after his Skunk Works era.