Given a vertical advantage i almost always use a wingover as opposed to a hammer.
The wingover can tend to keep the bandit on the string longer and the E retention is well worth the effort in the end. Especially in a crowded environment.
When i think of it, it's kinda like a spiral climb at first.
I will come in with tons of E. Then i will actually will show 6 and start the spiral climb so that the bandit closes on me due to angle rather than speed. It many times fools them into thinking they have more E than i do. Or sometimes they think i have burned all me E.
Then you start stretching them more in the vertical because thay are far too commited to back out at this time.
If all goes well, your wingover reverses at just the right time and you have E to spare in case a second bandit attacks.
Or if you have to exit due to low ammo because you suck at gunnery.
I fall into the latter rather than the former.
Hope that made sense.