[Kryten]

ok bit baffled by the relevance of maneuverability in this context?

you can't drop bombs, fire rockets and guns or strafe ground targets whilst flying in circles or maneuvering, I would argue the speed approaching the target and ability to clear the defended area quickly, get in hit the target and get out, would have a much higher bearing on survivability than quoting a turn rate?
a plane in plan view in the turn would be a larger target for a start!