JAJ, I only intended to agree with you and yes, relying on TR is a fools errand. In the mid-90s a bunch of heavyweight landing profiles were looked at again due to op requirements as well as the repeated NWS issues. PATR made no discernible difference to average landing roll when compared to just PALD with manual TR. For short runways the app end cable was the most assured means of recovery and for a brief period we did repeated engagements at Marham to produce data for wear rates. As an aside, the II(AC) jets operating from the line had repeated problems dropping the hook; a problem that went away with the move to the HAS site and the routine shutdown hook-drop.
I gather the F3 used the app end cable on the short runway at MPA with reasonable frequency, taking away variables with TR, NWS and the howling crosswind.