The most exciting takeoff was in a contest between an F-8F and, as I
remember it, an F-9F. They left the start at the same time and a couple of
hundred feet later the F-8 went straight up. It was at a couple of thousand
feet (maybe not quite that high) before the F-9 left the ground.

"Guy Alcala" wrote in message
. ..
Cub Driver wrote:

I shall have to re-play my tape of a UK airshow that Douglas Bader
narrates
and tells of his first flight in a jet it went something like "Well,
there I
sat in the cockpit ready for my first flight and braced myself.....and
you
know, the thing took off down the runway like an old lorry!"

That sounds about right. The B-47 had the advantage of peacetime
development, but its engines were so slow to spool up that the plane
had to land under power with a parachute. Lacking the power, it would
crash if it had to go around.

While correct about the B-47, you're talking about two separate issues.
The
Meteor's (and all early jets) slow accel time on take-off had nothing to
do with
spool-up time, as they'd already be spooled up prior to takeoff, and
everything
to do with their relatively low power to weight ratios and low thrust at
low
speeds. I will now make way for Mr. Stickney, who I trust will be along
any
moment now to give his thrust vs. power lecture, much as it must irritate
him to
have to constantly repeat it ;-)

Guy

P.S. Say, Pete and Urban, this is the sort of thing that definitely
belongs in
the FAQ. That will save lots of typing (and teeth-gnashing) in future.