Some more random thoughts....
Wingmen are inherently better at offence than defence because htey can always play any shooting cards they get, but cannot always play any defensive cards.
I can understand this from a "historical" point of view - if someone gets on the leader then the wingie is probably in a good position to let him have it, but perhaps that's an area where wingmen can be beefed up a bit? Perhaps allow them to play a "tight turn" if a barrel roll is required, or vice versa, or summ'it like that.
Also from a "historical pov the wingies job IS to catch hte bullets 'cos he's last in hte line, so experienced pilots with brand new wingies might be expected.
Another possibility - allow experienced pilots to take up other wingies from your hand, so the new wingies start at the bottom of hte rung with hte most inexperienced pilot.
Another idea - allow pilots and/or wingies to retire/be posted to a desk job and keep a roll of all those who do so so htey aren't forgotten forever