Can the fight be sooner in the mission?
You really think the merge takes too long?
So I kinda based that on giving them time to see the message that it is cold merge,
also for some odd reason, when you air-start it starts you with your gear down and your engine off.

I wanted you to have time to raise your gear and get your RPM/speed stabilized.
Also wanted to give them time to visually acquire the oncoming targets and prep their brain.
How much shorter do you want the merge?
I might make you a couple of custom versions, but I don't think I would like to go back and update all 64 of the current ones.
What would be your perfect setup preference? If I was going to make you 3 varients, what planes do you want?