OK, I did some research about the front-back balance and - thanks to @Isaac Källström and @Robbie - decided to take on the balance issue first.
I shifted the balance 1" to the front, ie. I took 1/2" off the back and added 1/2" to the front, with the following result:
The hem is now slightly tilted to the front The issues in the back are looking worse now, partially because the shoulder pads have been removed.
What would you say: Stick with this balance, or try to go back 1/4"?
Can't fit without the shoulder pads.
One method is to pin each of the four pieces to the shirt. Un-pin one of the quarters and you can move it up - down, left - right, diagonal to its correct location. All four pieces, one at a time. Decide where you want the seams to be and pin starting at mid-shoulder heading to the neck. The outer shoulder has some other considerations. The fit and weight of the coat is upon mid-shoulder to neckline, and some say around the neck. Shape the collar foundation and place and chalk mark location. Determine armhole shape with chalk. Pin the sides. Back is pinned. Dart sizes determined. Fronts and bottom edges. About balance. Fronts unpinned and hang parallel. A number of ways to skin the cat.