My first North Sea ACMI hop was a 1 v 2 against French Mirage 2000 RDY Mica firers. I was a student, the French wingy was new to the frontline. It was getting dark. The French #1 suggested that their VID profile practice move from serial 3 to serial 1. It was inky by the time we merged - and I remember the delta planform as it passed (just!) over my canopy like it was yesterday.
Some leaders would have called it a day at that point - but my French mates and I knocked out a couple more sets. First time I’d flown with IRCM too - they looked great in the twilight. Have a feeling I used far more of them than my new mates!
Ah, the days of high adventure, sadly now in the past.