BEagle,
Although you have a downer on the UK F4, in the depth of the Cold War (late 70's) the RAF F4s in 2ATAF ruled the skys of Europe. Previously in the "Mud" roles they had been exceptional. At a time when successive Governments changed defence policy as often as they changed their socks at least the flexibility of such a great aircraft was able to meet the requirement of the time.
As for your comment
As a VC10K tanker pilot, working with around 8/9 different types of fast jet in the mid-80s made for extremely interesting times
I am not sure what your point is. On an AAR Track you put the hoses out and guided an orderly queue. On trails the AARC made a plan which you enforced. Only on SAOEU trails with 3 types with differing requirements were you made to work for you money!!