Starting out, the Tomcat for years was the Navy's finest, but it was quite heavy (swing wings, etc.) and up close a very large plane. In Pensacola, FL it's on display, staged on a (for lack of a better word) monument, while at least fifty people can stand in its shadow, which is helpful as stand away from that shadow and its 20 degrees warmer. 90 degrees plus in the summer, plus sun radiation and it rises to 103 plus the humidty. Under the plane, about 75. Course size vs size, their are less F-14's on any carrier than would be with F-18's.
The F-18 Super Hornet, yes its smaller but the two engines have more thrust than the total aircraft weight, one report it can climb 38,000 feet a minute. My recollection this was proven in the Philippines, about the same time a volcano blew, throwing boulders, rocks, steam and ash straight up at 42,000 fpm.
That kind of information knocks the winds out your sails.....
And in the virtual world, unknown to this writer if it performs anywhere near this, let us know?
