Guns ... Lot's of Guns.
My flying style is to manouvre in close and deliver as much pain as possible, as quickly as possible, at close range. I hate using missiles, so lotsa guns are essential. Reasonable speed and manouvreability are neccesary to get in close. Because the idea is to spend some time manouvreing, and deliver the hurt quickly (as opposed to either going head-to-head or sitting glued to an enemies tail for overly long periods of time), heavy armor is not necessary. Reasonable shields are still desireable, because losta guns usually precludes extreme manouvreablility, so you're going to take some hits.
My top 5 fighters are :
1. Raptor - This get's my top vote, partly because it's a classic, but mostly because it fits my flying style perfectly - mass guns, reasonable speed, shields and manouvreability.
2. Thunderbolt - Another classic heavy. Doesn't have the 'classic' value of the Raptor.
3. Vampire - IMO this is the ideal fighter for me. Awesome firepower, manouvreability and speed. Reasonable, fast recharging shields. However, I've dropped it down to No. 3 because I feel it is really too powerful - a heavy fighter should realistically have to sacrifice something (speed or manouvreability) to gain its heavy firepower.
4. Panther - Probably a more 'realistic' fighter than the Vampire. I'd prefere something with a little more firepower, but without the sickening excesses of the Vampire.
5. Tigershark - Not a heavy fighter, but those charging mass drivers suit my flying style down to the ground. Just hold down the trigger while you manouvre in close, then deliver massive kindness at point blank range.
I've left out the so-called 'super-fighters' the Excalibur, and Lance/Dragon, and the 'Black-Ops' ships.
p.s. Wulf, I notice that you've left my first four choices out of the poll. The overpowered Vampire I can understand, but where are the classic 'heavies'?