I think you tested the proposition, whether or not a P-38 can leave a SpitXVI in the vertical from a co-e state, about as well as anyone could.
At the time you let go of the climb, the P-38 57mph, the Spit still had 127mph. It can be held nose-up until at least 80mph, without loosing it. This is what a large thrust/weight advantage will do for you, an advantage that only grows for the SpitXVI at low MA altitudes, rather than the 15-20K we were engaging at.
What you underestimated was not so much the SpitXVI's climbing ability but it's remarkable ability to hold E through maneuvers, which is the difference between how a P-38 and a SpitXVI stack up in a zoom climb test vs. an actual fight. Against a D9, a plane with an excellent climb rate and zoom but awful E-retention under Gs, the P-38 would have easily won I think.
I've actually done this particular experiment quite a few times, albeit mostly from the other side, no need for multiple re-iterations (especially when its about time for my afternoon snooze.
). We can debate whether this advantage to the climber vs. the zoomer is correct,(as opposed, for example, to Bob Johnson's account of his mock fight with a SpitIX) but it seems to be a fact of life in AHII.
I've just watched the movie, saw my mistake, and i knew it was that, when u chased me up, when i had about 200mph left, u had 100mph left, i waited for 1 sec or so, and i thougt to myself "I'll just roll over, he's probably on his belly rolling over or stalling hits nuts off", damn i was wrong , when i rolled started rolling over i had about 170mph and you hat 50-60mph, you were going to stall/drop in the next 2 seconds, i got overconfindent in my plane, or underestimated your plane for it's climbing ability. As far as i see it, the movie showes nothing, i'm still a noob in the P38 as far as that plane goes, some better sticks in that plane would have done better i'm sure. Why did u flew off imediatly after you got your victory? Do you think that 1 round is enough to establish a mini-rule in your head? that spit16 can beat the p38? I'm still for the P38.