Not much to add but here goes....
1) spit IX doesnt do 400mph level flight at any alt below 22k or so....speed at 15k is about 375 (about same as the P-38)
2) the 38 is heavier and will dive better (but also compresses much sooner)
So you werent going 400+ to start and you didnt get near 475 unless you were really diving and yes the 38's gonna catch you from that alt.
You also have a significant "discrepency" sp??.....if the two of you pass in the classic "planes level, guns cold" dueling merge {not the much more common dive for the dirt variety} then either you see him going up or out but he's out at 2 or 2.5 or 3. But you start him at 800 to 1000 and then say he's banking hard...not possible in a 38 going "475"....it wont even pull up at that speed. The elevator authority doesnt allow it....
My best guess is that you were going 380 or so (15k wep speed)....the con was actually higher and dove into the merge from vis range but was down to 15k or a bit less by the time you passed.....so he WAS going 450....he started to pull up from the under and by the time he got the speed down enough to gain full elevator authority your seeing him 1000 out. But he's in the vert pulling thru at 350-380 and now diving down on you from 18k....meanwhile your in a gentle dive. He'll run you down in no time....
I can tell you that your primary problem is pretty simple
I know the basic rules before engaging(light on fuel, best speed for turning radius, flaps....) This is dead wrong...the basic rule for engaging is to be the aggressor. The single most famous quote in combat aviation sums it up "there are two types of planes, fighters and targets". Simply put you flew like a target (no disrepect intended)....
My speed well over 400+. His speed I assume would be about the same. Me thinks you assumed wrong...
I looked behind and I want to keep my nose level/ bit downward to gain distance/speed before making my next move.... Which would be what?....you just merged at high speed blew thru the merge and watched him crawl up your oscar. You simply dont have the time to process a "dog fight" in this manner....you can fly in the MA and engage particpate and contribute to "the cause" but you cant be remotely competative in a 1 on 1 or small group engagement.
Which brings us to the other "most famous" quote in air combat. "Better a mig on my 6 then no mig at all".... I'll gladly give a 38 (or any plane for that matter) my 6. The guy who kills me from 1.2 out on my 6 is gonna kill me regardless (probably 80% of the time) {in a true 1 on 1}.....
If you havent spent time in the TA I highly encourage you to. You have the right attitude and a little knowledge and polish will take you a long way. I fly knight under "snaphook". Anytime you see me up feel free to tag along as an observer....
BTW if you search back thru a few pages you'll find two clips....one is a 109F vs 38G clip...the other a p40 vs nikki clip.
The 38 clip shows a full fight vs the 109....a couple of defensive reverses including one at 800 or so. If you listen to the vox you'll hear me telling a squaddie i'm fine (which I was).
I reverse planes in the MA all the time at 1.2 800 or even less. Any of the trainers will happly work with you to first assess your actual skill level, then build your fundemental understanding of dogfighting and then work on moving you from the target catagory to where you want to be....
Thats when the fun starts....when a guy in a fighter meets a target....and finds out he's dealing with another fighter.
