The days of truly “bringing blips together” died with the Lightning as well, with modern AI radars and datalinks it suffered the fate of astrodomes in bombers and transports.
I have to admit controlling 8 ship WB/BW F-4 formations off Great Yarmouth for PIs was fun back in 75-76. Single changing target each run with 7 fighters and 35 mile splits. Target orientated fighter overlay and turn each fighter in on a 5nm stream; all the time coordinating boundary crossers through MC1 into and out of the continent.
”Sir. Run 1 Ratch 8 will be target; Ratch 1 will be a 135 fly-thru; Ratch 2 will be a 135 fly-thru; Ratch 3 will be a 180 fly-thru, Ratch 4 will be a 135 conversion as next target; Ratch 5 will be 180 fly-thru; Ratch 6 will be a 135 Fly-thru; Ratch 7 will be a 135 Fly-thru; Ratch 8 will be a 135 fly-thru. Run 2, Ratch 4 will be target........”
Always on a free call before or after they went to the range so usually controlled from the Fighter Marshall position while they called a controller from the crew room - and finished before they were ready. 4-5 runs in 20 minutes - and between 30-40 intercepts logged.......