Peter Stickney wrote:

snip

While thrust vectoring with AoA does occur, (A good example would be
the F-104. I was told by a CanForce CF-104 pilot that the best way to
ensure a hard landing was to pull back on the throttle during the
flare - the AoA was high enough that a fair chunk of hte airplane's
weight was riding on teh vertical component of the thrust), I don't
think that that was a factor.

Pete, that would also lose the BLC, which was almost certainly a larger
effect. The Dash-1 says

"The pilot should remember at all times when using LAND flaps that the
additional lift afforded by BLC is dependent on engine airflow. This lift,
therefore, varies with airspeed, altitude, and engine rpm with the greatest
variation occurring at low airspeed, low altitude, and engine speeds above
80%. This means that the proper use of the throttle is mandatory,
especially as touchdown is approached, to accomplish a smooth reduction in
engine rpm so that a smooth reduction in the effects of BLC will result."

Guy