[BillSwagger]

But during the ZOOM they were most likly climbing at a higher angle than the angle they would have at the best climb speed

Why?

Because they could!

I disagree, although the angle used is likely to have a small margin of error through out the climb but the pilot is going to aim for the angle at which the plane climbs best.

Every plane has an optimum angle of climb, and its based on a number of factors. I can't follow the logic that they climbed at steeper angles because they could, when by design the plane climbs more efficiently at its best climb angle. An experienced pilot doesn't blow all his energy trying to get the most height in the shortest time, he does it so he can get the most height for the energy he has. That's going to be at the best climb angle which coincides with the 165 IAS speed at a WEP setting, in this case.

Its also a rather uniform test, with two planes climbing at the same angles and duplicated twice to determine the results of a climb from a fast cruise, and a climb from a zoom.

Bill