Yes, I think fighters should be used. I also think we should continue to use SFB fighters (although the use of the mega-packs proved to be a bit unbalancing).
Further, I would like to see fighters assigned to their proper carriers per SFB. SG4 didn't go far enough, IMO. For example, the F-A10 was used solely on the CVA (and bases, iirc). Another is the F-15. It was carried only on the CVB (it being used mostly from planets).
A-10 : CVA only
A-20 : SCS, NVH, CSV
F-111: BCS, NDS, NHV, CVH
F-14 : DVL, BCV
F-15 : CVB only
F-18 : On everything else
I also agree with Hexx on not using the PF's, I'd rather see F-111's and A-20's used instead.
Now, as to OOB, here is what I would like to see. Instead of using BP's or CP's to build ships every so often, we limit the numbers of ships before the server even starts by using the historical models from SFB to determine how many of each ship will be "built" for each side. For example, there were four CVD's built; I even know their names. Or the BCG, three of which were built, along with three BCF's. I already have the complete OOB at my disposal for all ships of NCL class and higher.
Ships will come out when they are supposed to according to their YFA date, and will be bought by those that sign up before hand for that class of ship. Their availability could also be spread out by using historical models of how many of such-and-such ship were made per year.
So, over the course of the campaign, there will be a goodly amount of carriers and whatnot, but through attrition, the '"specialty ships" will fall, not to be replaced. This will promote more "line ship" play, I hope, I think...
As to line ships, that's easy, as there were plenty of those. For example, most if not all of the original CA's and CC's were converted to CB's by the war's end...
Anyways, just thoughts I'm throwing out there...hey Hexx, I'd be happy to work with you on a Fed shiplist, I have one actually that I've been messing with for sometime just for a Mirror,Mirror campaign...