Hey steve,
Yes your correct those 8 kills were in a pony. My only run in a fighter so far this new tour. Lynx asked for help at a port that was being attacked by 10+ Knights he was the only Rook defending to begin with. I rolled a Seafire off a nearby CV with his F6F close behind when enemy lancs did a carpet bomb drop on the CV. After a quick skirmish with a pony and p47 (redtop's) plus multiple attack planes diving in and out with lots of energy. I ended up getting whacked by a B25H no less who went for a head on pass (don't blame him) and being on the deck with no E didnt have anywhere to go he may have even hit me with the big gun.
I found the nearest land based field and a squaddie came online and we rolled together. By this time the port was in serious danger of getting overrun 15+ cons working it. Quite a few lancs cruising around. The only reason I didnt get more than 8 kills in that run was due to the large number of enemy cons, you wouldnt be able to engage one without another shooting you in the back. The end of the run resulted in tangling with a well flown spit 8 and 16 at 15k. After a couple of turns to see whether they knew their stuff I was forced to disengage before they got guns on me, low on ammo and fuel by this time I went and landed on the CV. So in answer to your question no they weren't vulches. I can't remember the last good vulch I participated in (I class a vulch as ack guns down, vh dead, shooting guys on the runway) Not going to pretend I wouldnt vulch some guys taking off if I had the chance (90% of the community would) it just doesnt happen much anymore. I'm sure they are far more common during US prime time when targets are a plenty. I can only dream how many kills I could put up if I managed to fly when you do.
As for the hurricane runs in attack mode a field was being capped from a cv attack and I'm sure you wouldnt have even upped your P51 at all from that field. Bases saved due to heroic action doesnt have a score category either

if I could put it in that mode I would.
The only two times i've played with overall score in mind have been the two times i've finished number one overall. I have really good SA and a good shot, most runners get let down on their kills per hour but mine are always high due to the fact that if I have an advantage I will press it home to the best of my ability. Yes I love flying my Tempest (usually only comes out when Bish are hording) but I don't really fly any specific planes all the time and I do well in most rides.
The rest of the time I would say i'm very much similiar to Lynx (without the Admirals cap) in that I enjoy all aspects of Aces High and wouldn't place myself with the furballing or land grab mentalities, I do a bit of both. I also have my squad to think about and their enjoyment to consider. If I were to be milking and running from every fight I could to "play for rank" I don't think I would have any squadmates. We did 7000 odd kills for around 2800 deaths which is our best month to date.