The trouble is Krusty, we are talking a 30 plane raid or so. The 163 effect is relative to the size of the mission. Most times you wont see alot of them with smaller raids. Big raids, thats all you see. The guys in the buffs dont want to be shot down 5 miles from target anymore than the 110 guy wants to climb to 30k. Like I said, the 163s are a given, so if you can keep above the rest, and only have to worry about the 163s (that will be there) why not do it.
Talens mission was 25k with a another box a lil higher.
Back when I did missions in the AvA we planned them with the enemy. They liked us low, we wanted high, we comprimised at 18k or so. But we didnt have jets and rockets to deal with. And, if the guy in the 163 is 1/2 a pilot, he can be the be all end all rather quickly for the bomber pilot.