I think I will align myself with David White on this matter as I have never been convinced that large flange hubs were very much, if at all, heavier than small ones, when the extra spoke lengths have to be taken into the equation. It's the same argument that is being used to sell sloping top tube frames ie that the saving in weight ofthe small lengths of seat and top tube lead to a lighter frame. I think that this argument is more about fashion, marketing and stock-holding for the manufacturer.
I think the other matter to be considered is the spoking pattern ie the number of times the spokes cross each other. In "normal" use a 36H small flange hub uses spokes crossed three times ie x3, while a large flange hub of the same drilling often used to be laced four cross ie x4. The spokes on a x4 hub, particularly in a large flange hubbed wheel, run almost tangentially to the hub flange, and this effect confers a far greater resilience and comfort to a wheel as well as strength. The fewer the crossings the more harsh the ride, and there will be very little difference between the ride qualities and "feel" of a front wheel with radial spokes and a small flange hub and a wheel spoked radially using a large flange hub. However a 40 spoke wheel laced x4 on a large flange hub, will feel far stronger and more comfortable than a similar wheel lace on a small flange hub. As long as 40 spoke rims were available in the UK they were popular with tourists , laced x4, particularly with a large flange hub.
The other factor affecting wheel strength and ride quality is whether the "pulling" spokes ie those leaving the hub flange backwards and always under tension as they pull the wheel around, actually leave the hub flange with the spoke head on the inside of the flange..which makes for a stronger wheel, or from the outside.
norris Lockley...Settle UK
Bear in mind that L/F hubs were very popular in the 1950s at a time when the popular spoking patterns, certainly in the UK, were 32 at the front and 40 at the rear..often both lace x4. L/F hubs laced x4 are excellent for heavy riders, and even more so when they are tied and soldered.