now, having flown a couple of hours on my friend's Tony -8...
I'm lucky enough to have flown the -4, the -6 (which I own, -8 tail on), the -7, and now the -8. I now have >2K tailwheel flying, and a few landings under the belt.
For my taste the -4 is the best. The controls are perfectly harmonised, light, and responsive. The view is outstanding, and one feels completely part of the machine. You wear a -4, you mount an -8 (unless you are very... hmm, say muscular
).
The -6 and -7 behave very much like the -4, but the difficulty is in the landing as one looses sight of the welcoming turf during the flare.
I found the -8 quite heavy on the controls, this making it cruise stable, and a very good long range flyer. I have yet to switch the AP on.
It reflects on the landing in lacking some finesse, and the rather short stick requires more force to achieve a proper flare.
As on the other models, speed control is paramount. And as on the other models I found that a tailwheel low works best. Not the kind where you push after contact, the one where the speed is above stall, and you keep the touchdown attitude after contact.
To say frankly, I'm a bit disappointed by how the -8 flies, compared to the other models I've had the pleasure flying. Same engine, not a kt faster than my -6.9 which has better handling.
Oh well, the -8 looks big and aggressive on the ramp, and makes you an instant hero