If you doubt whether an F3 can catch a Herc, check out the F3's impressive 15th place in the world's fastest aircraft on
http://www.globalaircraft.org/top50.htm
Mach 2.2 may be stretching it a little bit (maybe with a high alt dive with no pylons and a total disregard for VNO) but a 69997ft service ceiling?!?!?!?
Of course, all the above assumes you got it off the ground before it went U/S.
N Joe