The C model that I have been fortunate to be able to fly is certainly sprightly, but I’ve never seen much more than 3000’/min climb (I also don’t make a habit of flogging it). I don’t think I’d be much above pattern altitude by 35 seconds from a standing start.
My NATOPS manual isn’t handy, but there’s no way it’s gonna do anything like the previously mentioned F-4 time to climb record.
It does take some rudder on takeoff , but never feels like it’s going to “flip over from P factor”
It has castering nose gear, and the manual says you’ve got it use differential braking until 40 kt or so, but in reality, as soon as you’re rolling and the engine is above idle, there’s so much airflow over the rudder that you can keep your heels on the floor.
Compared to a T-6, from a pilot skills standpoint, it’s an utter pussycat, and an absolute joy to fly.
Last edited by 421dog; 29th Oct 2023 at 17:26.