Patrick,
You would have to be pretty fast to land on all three gear and you don't want to do that. The "plop" landings you have seen almost certainly touched down on the mains first (i.e the nose was up at the point of touchdown), quickly followed by the nose gear. But to answer your question, the F-4 has almost none of the Bandit "kangaroo hop" tendency if you should happen to land a little hard and/or fast. This is why the minimum flare method works well with the F-4. However, having been an Air Force pilot (not Navy), my instincts are always to flare for a smooth landing. You need to be properly positioned (i.e. close to the runway) but you can hold the F-4 off as long as you have stab authority and I have even touched down with full Up stab.

I have never installed a drag chute but I agree it looks a little complicated as well as a tight fit. I know a few guys use them and maybe they can comment.

Craig