This is a move that the AI performs to check behind them for trailing bandits coming up on the 6 o'clock blind spot. I do it too although with sometimes less or more frequency depending on how much paranoia I have that night
F6F is a tricky bird... not sure what exactly is right but it's worth keeping in mind that it is a VERY large fighter (bigger than a P-47) with a lot of weight to it. If it turns, accelerates, or otherwise performs the way it should... I'm not 100% sure.