Help! can't keep up........

[SEE]

I have started a campaign mode and, once airborne, I cannot keep up with the rest of the flight even though they have identical a/c. I tried setting 'complex engine management' to 'off' and they they still out pace me. Trying to catch up just ends up with an overheating engine. Spent an hour on one mission escorting bombers , got to the drop zone and ran out of fuel just as the enemy closed in, aaargh! Some tips for a greeny would be most welcome......