I know I couldn't tell the difference between a GR4 & an F3 at over a mile while it was manoeuvring, even with binos. Could you?
I would have been sacked if I couldn't..................... It was a basic skill. Colour, shape, tanks. I could go on.....
No binos. I had TESS for a while. The VAS for Tornado never arrived. Just the old Mk 1 eyeball and basic air combat skills like any other air defender.