TEEJ,
I am aware of the different variants. The F-35C has arrester hook problems and issues with the nose wheel collapsing when fired from a catapult, steam or electro-magnetic.
The F-35B can land vertically, with the engine angled downwards at the rear, and the turbine behind the cockpit driven by a prop-shaft from the engine. This arrangement means it carries half the load of the F-35C. The prop-shaft driven turbine being redundant in forward flight. The very hot gases from the rear of the engine when landing in the vertical mode causes problems where it can land.
The Harrier can land almost anywhere, even landing in an an emergency on the cargo of a small spanish freighter at sea.
The Harrier can also, in all intents and purposes, fly backwards. Vectoring in Forward Flight or 'Viffing'. Which caused massive grief to Argentine pilots.
Trillion-Dollar Jet Has Thirteen Expensive New Flaws
Trillion-Dollar Jet Has Thirteen Expensive New Flaws | Danger Room | Wired.com
The author of the article thinks the F-35 is VTOL, in operation it will be STOVL.
Pentagon says F-35 jet still facing serious problems | The Times of Israel