Great aircraft, sleek and slender they had a rate of climb no others could match or even come close. I swear I was on a few where the pilots hit 40 degrees, maybe more. Exhilarating !
As you have, I have flown many a mile on this aircraft and it's many variants. I always looked at the serial plate inside the upper left hand side of the entrance door to see when it was built. A true work horse for sure.
And yes, the take offs were fun.