[Metatron]

Actually you do gain speed in a climb, but don't climb immediately, fly straight and level for a bit to gain some speed, then start climbing at a steeper angle. This is actually the easiest plane in the game to keep fast. Once above the bombers, I find diving on them with NO power, gives you enough speed to avoid the gunners, but not too much speed, so you have a few precious seconds more to aim. Re-ignite your rocket to climb away, and repeat the process as many times as you dare, or your fuel and ammo allow. If your are lucky you'll bag up to half a dozen bombers, although the game awards kills rather generously, for example planes you never witness crash, or planes that you damaged and were later hit by flak.

When landing, indeed in real life grass fields were used, but once your are landing you have basically transformed into a glider, and if you've ever seen a glider land, you'll know it's a very elegant and gentle process. You'll be at a very low speed.