The comparison between tropicalised Spit V and Zero, or between Bf-109/Fw-190 and P-38 is like the comparison with glasses that have 50% of volume containing the wine - some people would call it half full, others would day it's half empty. All depends on who is talking. The side with altitude/speed advantage is likely to come out as a winner.
As for when to attack what island: if the Rhodes represents a threat (basing the LW units there), then it need to be neutralized 1st. Leaving the LW to operate from there is inviting a disaster.
As for when to attack what island: if the Rhodes represents a threat (basing the LW units there), then it need to be neutralized 1st. Leaving the LW to operate from there is inviting a disaster.