Some folks like playing for score so I think it should stay. We just need one of the multipliers to be something that encourages putting yourself in harms way.
I've suggested this before and maybe its crazy, but when you get shot down you get a say in your opponents perks and score:
"PlayerX has shot you down in a P-40E. **Check boxes** Award Full, Award Some, Award None. If you choose "None" he gets normal perks and score, "Some" = a bonus, "Full" = a big bonus.
It may encourage the kind of encounters that result in salutes and give some way to discourage "lame" play. If a lone guy engages two Tempests and shoots them both down he would likely get more points than if he vulches two on the runway.
Just a thought.