Quote:
Originally Posted by DWalt
If a F-16 transitions from high-speed horizontal flight to an upward trajectory, there is considerable inertia assisting it to climb. Also, using the afterburner would add additional thrust.
I once saw an F-15 do exactly that. It went into a vertical climb with afterburners lit up and it went nearly out of sight.
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I live only about 50 miles from Andrews Air Force Base, outside of Washington, and used to take my sons almost every year to the annual air show there on Armed Forces Day. Every service branch was represented, and we got to see Harriers take off and land vertically...A-10s turn and bank and execute tight maneuvers...Tomcats come roaring over the field at low altitude...(and I do mean "roaring"...the ground shook!)...and F-15s, F-16s, and F-18s do that vertical climb...most impressive!
The photos below are from the 2006 show...and yes, that's an F-86 in the last photo...
