Nighttime
Pros:
(a) Limits the numbers of Spitfires, LA-7s, and N1K2s that are in the air;
(b) Limits the possibility of ground vehicles being spotted from the air; and
(c) Breaks up the monotony of having the same lighting all the time.
Cons:
(a) Spit, LA-7, and N1K2 pilots can't see.
There you have it. The Pros outweigh the Cons. Now get out of your baby rides and fly real men's planes.
By the way, I scored my all-time record for most kills without a death while doing short-range base defense at night, without radar. 11 kills, the last 3 while missing a wing gun. I tried to land several times, but the Bishops kept coming!