Wensleydale obviously forgot the 400 gal overload tank for the bomb bay, which gave us 16+ hours (the longest I did in a Mk 2 was 16:35 but I don't think we had much left on landing - the Mk 3 could do 24 hours in the early days). However, whilst cruise was indeed 160kts, it was possible to get over 300kts straight and level with everything at max chat; add water meth (for 5 mins) and we got to 325kts in a trial with an AEW at Boscombe - didn't half surprise the Harvard who thought he had a nice easy target - although the noise level inside was impressive. Apparently as we went over BD at approx 300ft it was quite impressive outside as well judging from the spectators coming out of the woodwork!
Oh - and yes a Bear did easily overtake us when we were in cruise/AEW mode. I think in our case there were one or two photos taken privately, and of course those by the other crew!
PS - Vno was 300kts, but the boffin on board just kept saying go faster - so we did!