If u havent noticed, Aces High is well known for trying to be authentic, in WW2 bombers had to fly in mass formations to be affective.
No base should be able to be disabled by a lonley buff pilot. and lonly bombers already last longer than they normally would have in real life, atleast your gunner cant be killed.
Yes a good pilot can make quick work of a formation of buffs, but a good buff pilot can also make quick work of a single fighter attacking.
Aces high makes overall game play better for everyone as a group.
If I had to make a suggestion it would be to have one main arena so each side would have over 200 people. Now that would make for some interesting buff runs wouldnt u think.
Also another note, Real buffs in ww2 flew at insane altitudes, thats why they survived, if u fly around no higher than 20k dont expect to make it home.