Thelma,
There is a tendency to view the F-14A through some very rose tinted spectacles. It was the best all-round interceptor in NATO in the late 1970s.....when it worked. The -A was dogged with engine problems with the "stopgap" TF30, causing the loss of a significant number of aircraft (nearly 30% of all mishaps) and a complex weapon system and troublesome hydraulics. Grumman was at the verge of bankruptcy in the mid 70s and was bailed out by the Iranians as the Shah preferred the F14 to the F15 for his specific needs (including intercepting MiG-25s). Much like the F3, the F14 only realised its true potential late in life as the F-14B and F-14D - which was very much the fighter it always should have been. I think it's been written on here before that RAF officers were banned from being seen publicly inspecting F14s/F15s at airshows as to not undermine the "home bid". Wrt F16 lease, the rumour I heard was that Portillo offered a wing of F16s to replace the Jaguar force but the RAF brass turned him down as they feared it would put Typhoon numbers (and their future jobs.....) at risk.
Vendee - a bit harsh. A lot of work was done on the SEAD mod to the F3; it was just decided not to field it.