Correct me if I am wrong, but I seem to remember a fairly critical limit speed when "hitting" the ramp (this was a 12 degree model) that was due to nose wheel strength limitations with the Harrier.
I wonder if the F35 (B) will be similarly limited or whether the nose gear is sufficiently strong for this not to be a problem. Maybe with a longer deck (on the QE2 class) the transition from flat-deck to ramp incline will be more gradual for this not to be an issue.
A 55,000 lbs T/O mass is quite a big increase for the F35 from the Harrier II (which itself was a lot heavier than the GR3/Sea Harrier) and only 3-5,000 lbs less than the max weights allowed for the F4 and Buccaneer which ISTR were 58,000 and 60,000 lbs respectively.
Just curious.....
MB