Ain't no doubt about it. But, for folks who had grown up flying more
docile aircraft, the traditional application of flight controls--stick
to turn and rudder only to coordinate a bit--the serious adverse yaw
was a killer. The first generation of F-100 drivers were having a
difficult time and suffering a number of crashes until North American
started a serious training program to visit the various bases and demo
the airplane as well as provide details about how to control
it--particularly in the final turn. Can't remember right now whether it
was Chuck Yeager or Bob Hoover that was the star of the show.

Even when I went through F-4 checkout, there were a lot of IPs at Luke
who seemed very reluctant to get max performance out of the airplane.
The initial impression was of a not very agile platform. Flown
properly, however, with little or no aileron input any time there was
back-stick, the airplane was very competitive. As you say, rudder was
our very best--and most dependable--friend.