I've flown the F-35B and I've chased it an awful lot in a legacy F-18. The F-35B easily out-climbs the Hornet in dry power and it out-accelerates it in burner through the transonic region. Whenever I did BFM in a Hornet the amount of time I spent between 7.0 and 7.5g could be measured in a handful of seconds (if at all).
So to me it is nonsensical to say that F-35B lacks performance and capability you need and then hanker after the Hornet. Happy to be told why I'm wrong by the Top Trumps brigade though?
Regards,
Single Seat, Single Engine, The Only Way To Fly