Deci ACMI '88-89ish. The scenario, a bunch of GRs doing a low level run with
F2s providing top cover/escort. The opposition is a package of F15s loitering somewhere in the stratosphere.
Loooootenant Chuck watching the carnage in the ACMI - "Geee, its raining F15"
Chuck was right, a small number of GRs got through whilst the entire F2 package was sacrificed.
Roll on a few years to a similar scenario. A bit of learning has taken place, the CONOPS has evolved and the RAF now have F3s. Looooootenant Chuck's humour is nowhere to be seen.
For those of us who have been around a short while, it is fair to say that the F3 was better than the F4 and the Typhoon is somewhat better than both. Someone else hit the nail squarely on the head - as part of the
system the F3 was a rather important and capable cog.