The 105 and the Vark were reputed to be frightfully fast down low ... 800+
KIAS with ease. Daryl Greenameyer's suped up 104 was doing 812-815 at 70'
AGL (and approximately 5000 MSL) when he did his record attempt. F-14B's
are good for 800+ as well.

I understand that the Streak Eagle (stripped airframe, tweaked engines)
would actually bust mach in the vertical. Hold it down to around 450,
smooth pull to just past vertical and then an unload to maximize
thrust/drag. This would have been the preferred profile for the
intermediate altitudes ... each one was tailored to reflect fuel load,
target altitude, etc.

R / John

"Gord Beaman" wrote in message
...
(WaltBJ) wrote:

The F104A would certainly exceed Mach 1 at zero feet. At Tyndall AFB
in the mid-fifties they did it about every day. All too soon the
authorities clamped down on it. FWIW with the old 3-b engine I've seen
725 on the clock at about 100'AGL.
Wonder what that Port St. Joe shrimp boat crew thought at 0600 when
they got a 'wake-up' call? Honestly, I was just burning out fuel prior
to landing and never saw thenm until too late.
Walt BJ

Of course Walt...who wouldn't believe that?...
--

-Gord.