as far as defending the base itself.....small cannon airplane like a hurricane IIc that can turn circles around the 110's that are swarming around town are great.
You wont need the speed or the climb anyway. bailing and hiding in the town are effective.
But for the most part you gotta pork the base they just took,killing troops and ord....that will slow them down, at least untill the school kids have to go to bed.