The saga continues –
Reference – Horten Flying Wing H-IV
Original German test pilot Rudy Opitz – has a direct tie-in connection with
hang gliding: Opitz was an acquaintance and friend of HG pioneer Jack Lambie.

Rudy flew numerous experimental aircraft during WWII in Germany. He “may” have been an original Messerschmitt pilot also!
Both Lambie and Opitz shared many hours in gliders.
Early photo of Rudy in Horten: Young Rudy in Horton H.IV
Rudy along with Lambie and MacCready at National Soaring Museum Flying Wing Symposium in Elmira, New York in 1997., probably circa 1997; Jack presented a lecture on composite construction; he also there presented his Lambie-Lid (HG helmet) during the events in Elmira. The "Gang" From left to right, back row: Karl Nickel, ???, Dezso George-Falvy, Jan Scott, Jack Lambie, Al Bowers, Paul MacCready, Bob Chase. Front row: Rudy Opitz, Bruce Carmichael, Al Backstrom, and Jim Marske. (Source). Son of Rudy was at the Elmira symposium: Martin and Rudy Opitz.

Jack Lambie Sculptor designer with his hand made
Lambie Lid Carbon Fiber Hang Gliding Helmet:

                         Photo may be from the  Douglas Bullard collection.

              ~~Commentary and  contributor: Neil Larson

Spelling challenge: Opitz or Optiz ??? Both used bring more results. Significant sources vary in the spelling of his last name.  Google meter: 1790 for Opitz; and 711 for Optiz. Primary data of name tag gives Opitz.

• Photo: Young Rudy in Horton H.IV
• Photo: The "Gang" with J.L.:: Jack Lambie; PM :: Paul MacCready; Rudy :: Rudy Optiz
• Rudy Opitz passed away in 2010 at age 99.
• Rudy Opitz obit.
• Jack Lambie notes
• Rudy Opitz test pilot of WWII
• Paul Rudolf Opitz  obit. Two sons: Martin and Michael. "He started his love for flying by joining a local flying club and teaching himself how to fly in a homebuilt glider." 
• What youth gliding club for Opitz?
  What was his first homebuilt glider?
• Some Horten photos
• H.IV in tow
• Spelling variants found for Hector McNeil or Hector MacNeil, uncle of Neil Larson. Hector was a builder of kites for A.G. Bell, as well as inventor. Book Alexander Graham Bell by Catherine Mackenzie has "MacNeil." Hector P. MacNeil. She writes of Hector:
  "Bell's most skillful workman,"
   
• Bell liked the term "aerodromes" with Langley for the full flying machine, rather than "aeroplane" which he saw as just a part of aerodromes.
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