Speed isn't important? Speed is life! Hell, I flew a turning fool of
an airplane, the F102. Wing loading about 45 psf. All that turn could
do was let me go around in tight circles when a faster airplane hawked
me. And that only lasted as long as my fuel did. But next I flew the
F104A - and 800+ was there if I needed it, even with its original
engine. The one with the Dash 19 engine would really step out. AMAF
two friends of mine took the birds out to 2.5 - 'only' 300 past the
redline. Speed is good!
And I bet Ed agrees with me; when you've just PO'ed Charlie by
taking out an SA2 site and the other 5 sites are still there looking
for you, 745 (all our F4Ds could do with all the junk hanging on them)
heading out for feet-wet was very nice indeed. - 745 because our
engines were right at the top of the trim band - they sure weren't
that fast back home.
I don't ever recall complaining about an airplane that wasn't
slow enough . . .
Walt BJ