I started as a Bish. In my timezone they were a much more country orientated side. The Rooks are far more seperate (in my timezone anyway) and operate as a collective group of separate squads rather than a 'country'.
This is neither good nor bad.... it just depends on what you prefer. I always found that the Bish attitude, whilst promoting 'hording' a little more does foster a more friendly atmosphere across the whole country. This is negated by the group of squaddies I have... they're all outstanding blokes and I simply do not have time to chat to too many Rooks because I'm always too busy talking watermelon with my squad.
The Rooks tend to be more 'closed' as the primary communication seems to be within squads. So if you're looking for an inviting country in Aus prime time, Rooks are inferior in this regard.
However, the Rooks (again, just in my timezone) have proven to be a much more useful group of wingmen. I can rely on Rooks to get me out of a tight spot more than I can with Bish. Perhaps this is because there are more 'fighter focused' people on the Rooks.... which means they're more useful in a dogfight. I was genuinely surprised after my first week of being a Rook (when I joined the Prawns) by the sheer amount of times I had people offer to help and actually do so. It was completely foreign to me.
Same amount of check6s.... just more Rooks are able to actually DO something after they give you a check 6.
This is not a slight or attack on the bish at all, I don't consider any country to be better or worse.... just different.
I've never spent any real time as a Knight, so i can't comment any further than to say that, typically, they prove to be a more difficult adversary as far as fighters go than the Bish.
To summarise, my conclusions about the countries in my timezone are:
-Rooks: Higher number of skilled pilots in effective squads. Poor country co-operation and less of a 'country' environment. Best place for a furballer, worst place for a base-taker.
-Bish: Friendly and willing to help the real estate cause. Lots of missions and many people willing to join them. Fewer squads with capable dogfighters/pilots.
-Knights: Generally seem to be half-way between Bish and Rooks. Decent amount of squads who work well together, slightly better country work but lacking any real strength in any particular area.... a 'jack-of-all-trades' country.