(50% fuel) N + wep mid 1900's feet per minute (this lasts ~ 5 min or so, takes 10 or so to cool off)
(Full fuel) D-40 + wep mid 1700's feet per minute
N sans wep 1100 feet per minute
D40 sans wep 1250 feet per minute
With N, if ya hit target with engine overheated, drop ord/lose alt, you have a big, fat, LOW plane with no extra horsepower--also, 75% gas in D40 would be better comparison