On 10/21/03 2:35 PM, in article , "John
Carrier" wrote:

Just out of curiosity, Woody, what is the fastest you've had the Hornet in
KIAS and IMN? I had a TPS guy claim 800/1.8 for the C, but I think he was
feeding me pure unadulterated BS. In my brief exposure, I was astounded by
its LACK of speed.

R / John



John,

I've never seen that with my own eyes--and I doubt he has either unless the
jet was slick and new and he had a full tank allocated for just that
purpose. 800/1.8 are the "do not exceed" limits in the book.

I've never had a dedicated hop (or the desire) to make an attempt at them.

Fastest I've had the Hornet was doing the mil lockout test on an FCF about
2-3 years ago in W174C (Key West). I coaxed it to 1.46 at 35,000 in a 20
degree dive down from 45,000 before I got a R DUCT DR caution and had to
slow up. It was a slick jet, and I could have probably gotten it faster...
had it been working correctly.

Most I've ever seen in the HUD is 710 KCAS, but that was at approximately
1.06 at 200 AGL off shore San Diego making a supersonic low pass (combat
spread with my -2) on a Coast Guard cutter we were working with. It was a
LONG run-in for fun/show. As a section, we brought one jet down each side.
I had a slight advantage with the EPE motors. (We had finished a sea
surface search radar test early.) We were configured single centerline
tank, no pylons. I don't think it would have gone much faster than that.

I know you didn't ask, but being a chicken with regard to aviation
physiology, I've never climbed one over 53,000 @ 1.10--and that was circa
1994 out in the R2508 when I was a "Laker." It would have gone much higher
in my opinion.

Got any F-8 or Turkey personal experience numbers you want to share? I'd
assume they'd be much better.

--Woody