Pilot of an antique military trainer reported an airborne conflict during traffic pattern climbout. The pilot stated the long nose of the aircraft blocked the view of the single engine Cessna ahead. Traffic separation was lost during the incident.

Narrative

After landing at ZZZ following a flight from ZZZ1; I departed behind a small Cessna; I believe a C-150 or C-152. I climbed out at 90 mph indicated as the instructors have trained us which is Vx. I do not recall hearing radio calls from the Cessna. My aircraft has a very long nose making forward visibility very limited at a 10 degree or higher deck angle to achieve 90 mph indicated airspeed. With that configuration; I could not see the Cessna in front of me. As I turned right cross-wind; the Cessna suddenly appeared above me and to my left. I flew beneath the Cessna and crossed under his flight path and departed the traffic pattern to the South. The Instructor in the Cessna asked if I had the Cessna in sight. I said that I did. He said they had been making radio calls. I said I did not recall hearing them. Analysis: We are trained to climb at Vx. With the long nose of the modified SNJ-4; I lost sight of the Cessna. In the future; I will need to periodically lower the nose to view traffic in front of me during climbout.