It was possible to get a cleaner VTO by using 75 degrees of nozzle instead of the normal 82 (aircraft sat 8 degrees nose-up). This ensure that recirculating exhaust was vectored behind the intakes. Once clear of ground effect, 82 was reselected, if a hover was required. If not, accel away to wing borne flight was carried out as normal.
It was discovered that VTO performance was also better with gun pods fitted, as the exhaust bounced back off the ground and impinged on the fuselage between the pods. Hence the fitting of strakes if guns were not fitted.
Mog