the way i understand it is that if u get an assist its pretty much useless to your score/stats/perks. u can even get an assist from 1 single .303 round.
what about changing the assist to damage ? if you course enough damage to a Conn to be listed in the damage list then you get credit for a damaged Conn, if you hit a Conn with no damage then you get nothing.
hit a spit and take of an aileron u get .01 perks + credit in stats that count towards rank
hit a spit and it takes no damage you get nothing
the damage to credited wether the Conn lands or gets killed by someone else.