Why Can't I Keep Up?

[majorfailure]

For aircraft performance data you want IL2compare.

I do think AI climb at speeds above best climb, for fighters at least they do. Let your plane gain some speed first after takeoff and then start to climb, do not point the nose at your leader initially. Prop pitch can remain at 100%/auto for a climb, supercharger needs to be switched at correct alt. If you don't know the altitude to switch: il2compare (speed vs. alt chart -speed minimum in the curve is a charger switch). To squeeze the last few % of performance from the plane use trim - it is easier to maintain a fairly constant speed using trim - remember the less you move the controls the less drag your plane produces. In time you will leave the AI behind when leading the flight.