Using Histograms when shooting RAW

Hi,

I have a question about histograms in combination with shooting in RAW mode. I have always thought when I started using a dslr that I don't have to pay too much attention to the histogram on my camera when I shoot in RAW mode. My idea was that I can always correct images which are over- or under exposed in my software when back home.

My usual topic for photography are fat jets at airshows. I a lot of cases when the aircraft is shot with a gray sky behind it, I always end up with a histogram (in Lightroom) which only has a smallish peak in the middle of the histogram (neutral gray). I have noticed that it is almost impossible to correct this, because the peak is too narrow. It doesn't come close to the whole width of the histogram.

Left and right I hear that I don't have the exposure set properly. But now I ask how I can change that in the above situation? For the fast jets I need a fast shutter speed, and when the weather is dull gray, I will need my large aperture as well. I usually shoot in Tv mode (1/1000th -1/1600th) with the lens stopped down 1 or 2 stops (300mm/F2.8). ISO is set to auto.

Does it help me if I overexpose such a scene with a few stops while shooting? Or would I do the same in thing when I add a few stops in Lightroom?

Henk