Estimates of Axis versus known British air strengths

There were apparently considerable differences between the estimates of "relative strengths" of the opposing air forces. This was an important topic, because the government was being pressed by the government of New Zealand over their desire to see that there troops were not operating in a situation where there was an Axis air superiority. The differences between London and Cairo caused the Vice-Chief of the Air Staff to be sent to Cairo to resolve the issue. They finally agreed that the combined German-Italian air forces would have abouty 385 aircraft available "in Cyrenaica". The British air force strenght would be 528. This is based on the account in Vol.III of the Official History.