NW1
It was expressed in the flight manual as "Lowest Authorised" speed, Vla, and didn't depend on weight. 0-15,000' Vla=V2 or Vref as appropriate, 15,000'-41,000' Vla=250kias
I assume in the US then you were restricted to 250 kts below 10,000 feet just like all other aircraft?
41,000'-60,000' Vla=300kias
Why higher speed? That have to do with shockwaves and the resulting pressure distribution differences?
I'm guessing you mean rate of climb rather than IAS?
No, I meant the airspeed you'd be flying at while climbing (post takeoff)
if restricted to 250kts (way below min drag) you'd get pretty poor rates of climb - about 1000fpm if you were lucky
Wow, that's pretty bad. You'd figure with a T/W ratio of around 0.40 you'd do far better than most other aircraft.
and IIRC - you'd quickly want to lower the nose, just barely climb and get her up to 400kts when she'd really fly...
Were you allowed to get over 250 below 10,000 feet in the US, or UK? Regardless, what rate of climb would you get at that speed?
most transatlantic takeoffs were at MTOW - around 185 tonnes
408,000 pounds?