I think the 38 is AMONG the best fighters, and by best I mean most versatile.
Good range
good firepower
can haul 2000 pounds of bombs and 10 rockets to 10K faster than any other plane in the game.
in the right hands and flown correctly it can be an absolute nightmare to fight against.. it can BNZ and then in a haertbeat switch to low speed stall fighting, coupled with guns in the nose (the death ray) 1 crossing shot even out to D600 often results in insta-tower.
Im trying to learn it myself now, its taking time, but I consider it an investment, im pretty solid in the Jug, and flying the 38 sometimes i forget what Im in and try some rather juggish tactics.. like an 8K power dive on bombers that sees me ending up somewhere near the earth's core.
Im getting better though, I can usually get 2 or 3 solid minutes of flight now before getting a PW.