I wonder whether the solar wind shrinks the "height" of the VARB, looking at a side view. I had never seen anything on this, and until this thread I hadn't considered this possibility. If that were the case and I'm speculating here, then the trajectory of Apollo would have left the VARB earlier than Bob B's calculation.
As you know, Bob used the AE8 and AP8 model, which is exactly what it says on the tin, it is a model. It has its drawbacks, but has been constructed over many years based on improvements to data. I'm sure the engineers here will discuss its use in more detail.
Tim has a very simplistic view of the VABs. I'm really no expert, but I know the VABs are misshapen by solar activity, but thought it was more to do with interactions between the sun and Earth's magnetic field, rather than the solar wind buffeting the particles in the VAB (so to speak). Although an increase in the solar wind is linked to the sun undergoing magnetic changes.
In view of your speculation, its swings and roundabouts as the VABs are very dynamic. Another example of VAB dynamics are whistler waves. The VABs are essentially a plasma, and the interactions with solar particles and the magnetic field of the sun is complex. An increase in the solar wind can inject extra particles into the VAB. This can cause separation in the plasma and whistlers waves. In this case the proportion of higher energy electrons
might increase as the electrons 'surf' along the wave. Therefore, the time in the VAB
might become a little shorter, but the number of high energy particles at the horns
might also increase, but these higher electrons will be localised along 'channels' in the plasma.
Going back to the line of questioning: The VAB is not a simple volume of space. There are many processes that occur to change the radiation in the VAB. So to make hand waving arguments about radiation uniformity is grossly incorrect. To correlate scientific data and actual dosimeter readings is beyond the boundaries of acceptable analysis, for all the reasons discussed (i.e. detector differences, improvements in detection, detector type, detector location, different solar cycles, taking averages... etc).
The main property of the outer belts, which Apollo skirted with TLI, is that it's a region of electrons. The flux of the higher energy electrons drops very quickly; and the lower energy electrons are readily shielded.
I think you are correct though, and your speculation is applicable in context of this thread. Tim was fallacious in strictly adhering to the results of scientific data and applying his extrapolations to actual events almost 50 years ago. He does not understand the limitations of the models and the caveats associated with the scientific literature. To apply them in such a manner to dismiss Apollo is the same old HB tactic that has failed time and time again, namely to cherry pick and quote mine in order to prove a case based on a fallacy of equivalence. Your whataboutery is indeed valid to this discussion, if only to highlight the complexity of the problem and how hand waving simplifications do not deserve merit.