No problem with the questions, it keeps the boards active.
The Allied strategy I generally use requires Allied dominance of the Atlantic. That’s not to say they should go out of their way to build battleships and carriers. Buy only as much as you need to keep transports afloat. The Allies will liberate Africa early on by landing Algeria and then land Europe. As an experiment, an Indian complex and Anti-Japan strategy can be fun but the Axis will probably be at an advantage if they know what they’re doing. If you plan on this, make sure your partner(s) agree to it and commit right away.
As far as early purchases go, so much depends on G1’s purchase and combat move as well as Germany’s early dice. Advise your Russian comrade to attack Ukraine first round. Did Germany build a bomber? Did Germany attack z2, the med cruiser, and Egypt? Did Germany bring their 2 subs out of the Baltic? Let’s assume that Germany attacked z2 successfully. Ideally, your UK1 build will be a carrier, 2 destroyers(or 2 carriers if the German subs didn’t come out) and that will go in z8 to meet the Americans and Russians. That build’s purpose is to get the most defense in the water. The problem is that sometimes the most isn’t enough. If Germany has 2 subs and 4 planes, the battle is about 60-40 Allied favor and that or anything less is acceptable. If this isn’t safe, I would advise saving your money, moving the Canada transport to US waters, and moving out the next turn for a big fleet build that can withstand the Luftwaffe. Consider a UK1 bomber to set up an attack on the German med fleet. Remember, the US can protect you from German planes but not from Japanese planes which would attack between the UK and US moves.
The sun will probably set on some of the British Empire. Germany makes early gains in Africa and unless the US goes Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Madagascar can be written off eventually. India can’t hold very long unless a factory is put down UK1 and that takes a lot of commitment. I’m not an expert on those strategies. The UK will have to make up for some of those losses in Algeria, Libya, Norway, and various European territories.
Russia’s fall is a good thing. It means Russia’s winter is coming. Really, flow units to Russia through Norway/Karelia/Archangel. I try to stay in z6 until I’m ready to commit to the Baltic(seazone 5) or the Barents(seazone 4). The advantage to z6 is it allows reinforcement of Norway and (if possible) trading of Western Europe and building additional ships. We’ll assume both zones are safe for the Allied fleet. If the Allies can reasonably attack Germany, Eastern Europe, or stack Karelia and Russia isn’t in immediate danger, go for the Baltic. If Russia’s fate is uncertain, and the Allies can’t play aggressively, flow units into Russia through Archangel and trade Karelia for the Russians. The Barents allows the Allies to flex their economic muscle but if WE isn’t defended, it won’t allow the Allies to trade it. It also let’s the Axis drop her guard in the protection of Germany and Eastern Europe.