Yep. When you make a variant, any feature that's not changed is assumed to remain the same.
Though it would be a counter proposal, rather than a variant, as it prevents the development of a liquid rocket engine, which was the original proposal.
Added it. My bad for the confusion.
Submarines are not particularly more stealthy than other ships, especially in the era. A submarine can dive,yes, but after that moves only slowly and cannot move that far. Plus, no artillery support from submarines.
I'd rather fly in the parts directly.
Yes, the question is what to do with those islands. Problem: Both evacuation and resupply/fortification requires open seaways. Those are, however, closed, so unless we gain sea superiority or air superiority and a transport plane, we're not going to be able to send them anything at all.
Putting part of the airforce on Crow's Island is very much possible, and a sound strategy for using the others as support if needed. Keep in mind, however, that attacking us from one of the other three directions is going to have a toll on their fuel supply, therefore limiting their effectiveness.
Lastly, vulnerability of factories: True, keeping them in one place makes them vulnerable - if the enemy can attack them. Placing them in our country I assume means keeping them spread out anyway, and contrary to Crow's island we have no problem with being attacked by their navy and their air force would be far less effective.
Oh, and @ebbor, if you still need/want names:
Us: Syldavia
Enemy: Maltova
Across from the mountains: Mirenberg
And for others, Calbia, Galazon, Krassnia and Zemenia