You're experiencing what they call the "placebo effect". It's really quite fascinating.

That's interesting, how much over is "just a bit over?" Not questioning, just curious. I always thought the "best climb speed" from IL2 Compare was the way to go, that speed is usually about 100km/h (60mph) faster than stall speed for each plane. Did you test this?

You're right, I was thinking steepest climb not best climb rate!

109G stall around 155kph, best climb around 270.
Just saying, trying to follow some planes it will look like they're levitating.

I can climb 'to heaven' at near stall, rudder dancing all the way, in these planes but just 20-30 kph faster I can climb at a much higher rate very steeply.

But hey, in combat you mostly don't want to be so slow. Flying like that, the same plane that can't follow you in a steady climb should be able to zoom up your six so fast he has to quit firing and veer off to avoid collision. But then, the other guy has to think of that and make it happen first.