An empty 747-400 can be entertaining. I have seen the APFD go into altitude capture passing 3000 ft climbing to 6000 ft out of LHR. Taking off at about 200 tonnes even using max derate can be quite a handful, and is best handled by hauling off lots of power at 1000 ft agl.
Downwind to land at idle thrust is also quite entertaining, with the QOTS being very reluctant to slow down / go down. Often have to end up using the gear for drag.
As to absolute rates, I can't quantify it exactly, but would suggest that if full thrust were to be used, that something approaching 10,000 fpm would be achievable.
Empty 737-400 also quite amusing - remember positioning EGSS-EGLL and using full thrust for fun - ended up at about 5000 ft by the end of the runway
