Keeping up with AI in level flight?

[simast]

I have been playing Pacific campaign with F4F-3 Wildcat on full realism without auto-pilot. One thing that bugs me a lot is how the AI on a level flight from waypoint to waypoint always seems to go at the maximum perfect speed range. I can barely keep up with the leader but no way I can gain a speed advantage on them (in case I need to rejoin).

I am usually level-flying using this:

• Full throttle
• Pitch at 85-90%
• Trim as perfect as I can get
• Radiator fully open (don't think it adds to any drag)

Any tips? With the settings above I can get 245mph. Should I bother with supercharger? Although in the Pacific Campaigns all flights seem to be at around 2.2KM height, so I imagine supercharger wouldn't help me at all.

Mixture is at 100/normal. Playing on 4.11m.