1965 Operation Steel Tiger: Attacking The Ho Chi Minh Trail | DCS

0:00 Briefing
4:51 Mission
1:04:07 Debrief
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#GRReenactment #DCSReenactment #OperationSteelTiger #Vietnam #War #GR #DCSWorld #MilitaryAviationHistory #Aviation #AviationGaming #FlightSimulators #Military

[@pauliec17]

"Don't be angry, Skill" says the panicking angry man.

[@garymyers6638]

The F4 Phantom was proof positive that with enough power, even a brick will fly. It was also a reservist aircraft for a very long time and the actor/sing Dean Martin’s son, Dino was a pilot in the California reserves. He died after a malfunction in his aircraft. Like a true hero pilot, he guided his aircraft away from a populated area knowing that by doing so he would not have the altitude to safely eject. His back seater was ordered to eject and Dino rode his phantom to the ground.

[@BaldHeadedManc]

His weapons systems officer, Captain Ramon Ortiz, also passed away. He may have been ordered to eject, but they both died IN the airplane when it struck the mountain.

[@CMDRSweeper]

That pursuit of the Mexican High was the greatest I have ever seen of excitement! No GS scripted video could come close, it was just a nailbiter and excitement all the way to the end, sadly a bitter end, but that is the way it tends to go in real life.

[@grimreapers]

Yeh that was super fun!

[@roderickval]

Man we were so close! haha

[@LiamWakefield]

Slava High, hero of Steel Tiger.

[@MichaelMoellerTRLInc]

Impressive flying at the end, I felt hurt when he went down. SAM's were deadly serious business in the NAM. It will be nice when we have more of the correct airframes for these missions.

[@TheCaptainbeefylog]

The F4/F105 combo is sorely needed.

[@christopherjohnson529]

Great video! Love the Vietnam recreations. Only request is to fly "as if your lives depended on it". Takes away some of the tension when folks are ordered to destroy the SAM site with their face, funny as it might be. It feels weird to have everyone twisting and turning to stay alive, then committing suicide when they go Winchester. YMMV, but for me, the best GR missions are where everyone's coordinating trying to stay alive and succeed, like a real historical mission would have been.

[@jbear7878]

Yeah, it was evident within 5 mins of this mission when Cap was in Argentina skin & overloaded with weps violations that this wasn’t being taken seriously.

[@robertyancey8520]

I thoroughly enjoy the recreations of historic aviation. If I could make a request- Could yall attempt to do the C130 Hurc landing on USS Forstall aircraft carrier fully loaded to max gross? It difficult to comprehend and videos on youtube cant possibly convey the shear lunacy (I love it!)

[@mettwurstkrieger5310]

I think they already did it. Just search for grim reapers c130 carrier take-off

[@Tinderchaff]

Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKrGXquprsyWqpY

[@robertyancey8520]

@@mettwurstkrieger5310 I must have missed it in my binge watching - thanks!

[@mettwurstkrieger5310]

@@robertyancey8520 no problem

[@rhino704]

The ward Carroll video interview with the test pilot is quite good!

[@rogeraylstock3641]

More A-4, F-5s, Hueys and Vietnam! Great footage!

[@ForestBlue7]

An appearance of the A6 Intruder would’ve been tits for sure. And let’s not forget, when flyin the schreik, always wanna know what the Phantom Shitters been up to before launch..

[@skilgannon5069]

Brilliant mission!!! Had more fun than I thought I would being shouted at by an angry Cap!! Even got my guns kill on the mig in to the vid... that makes 4 kills because Iam claiming that manoeuvre kill on the Mig I put a sparrow out on that hit the trees...😎 Thanks for the mission Unexpected!!

[@alastairstuart5800]

That was absolutely gripping, tense and super exciting. Great tension and direction from the spotter.

[@lohrtom]

Those were Tartar missiles from the US ships at the end. Part to the 3 Ts: Talos, Terrier and Tartar. I worked on the Tartar. It was later upgraded and designated as the SM-1.

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@groovedwareman]

Vietnam scenario / DCS needs F-4 Phantom.

[@RyTrapp0]

If we're all honest - Vietnam is the sweet spot! WWII is fun and all, but the best piston engine aircraft are just missing that whole other level that jets bring(not to mention the sorts of aircraft jet engines made possible). More Vietnam-Cold War era DCS!!!

[@nickrubalcaba1585]

50:22 holy sweet honey bbq jesus, that was a close call. You'll probably be cleaning grass out of the engine inlets.

[@MrOpinionatedOne]

One of your best! I was riveted to my screen watching this, especially at the end!

[@ssstrokash]

Some dense action packed mission! Nicely planned, almost perfectly executed. Really enjoyed watching...

[@MiguelAbd]

It's these videos that show how amazing the A-4E mod is. Great video, cap!

[@HauntedXXXPancake]

This gotta be one of the most nail-biting endings in GR history. Soooo close ...😄

[@roderickval]

maaan so close hahah

[@mrkeogh]

Davina giving everyone a hard time in the Big Ho Chi Min House. Edit: you know GR is in trouble when Cap starts the Mr. Slave impressions.

[@bigrivercod]

an absolute cracking video....thanks Grim Reapers

[@roderickval]

hahaha Man! we almost made it! Love the Skyhawk, Love Nam Missions B') Love flying with you boys!

[@ReNeyer]

lol, flies the gunpods all the way to vietnam to just get shot down immediately

[@grimreapers]

Welcome to my life.

[@nerves]

One of the best ones yet!

[@anthonyadkins7487]

GREAT MISSION GUYS! Very entertaining!

[@tomriley5790]

Love the A4, such a good module, great that it's free but in some ways wish it was "offical". Briefing "don't use miniguns", Cap - MORE GUNS!!! I think less weight might be a good idea for your next carrier takeoff! Shows how nasty the SA3 was! Great run at the end poor Hi, so close nearly made it - even with Cap's "help" :-)!

[@davidwemyss7303]

Fabulous mission, exciting last dash by your A-4, A-4s always a favorite, LOVED the inclusion of the MiG-19s as adversaries, an aircraft type skipped over or ignored, by many, eclipsed by the MiG-21. Bravo, gents...

[@wolfgangjr74]

Lolz. Cap losing his mind over that radar.. lol

[@kenhelmers2603]

Great ending! Well flown Hai!

[@roderickval]

Thank you sir. We almost made it!

[@alejandrogrossi9424]

Hi Cap. Nice Argetina Air force Color (5ta Brigada Aerea - our A-4C)

[@grimreapers]

Love that livery.

[@madaxe606]

Vietnam Air War is best Air War. Fight me! Seriously, though, once we get the F-4, the lack of a Vietnam map is just sad. Come on, ED.

[@grimreapers]

Yup huge mach 2 jets gunning each other over forests.

[@the_realHighway]

Last 20 minutes.. edge of the seat stuff.. well done

[@ryanhooper4660]

A 4, SOOOO MUCH FUN!!!! I kept screamING at the screen, "CAP, GO WATCH YOU'RE F&*KING A 4 TRAINING VIDEOS!!!"

[@grimreapers]

lols

[@Sivalente1]

New spectator here, your groups videos have been exciting enough to get me out of msfs2020 and onto dcs. My bank account is weeping.

[@stevenconkle6017]

Mission suggestion: the Russians have invaded the US more specifically Las Vegas, your job is to locate the Russian HQ. and destroy it, the locate and destroy the many hidden ground forces and AAA and SAM sights.

[@RyTrapp0]

I don't hate this at all...

[@yahnump]

Recently retired from teaching college level math. In our College Algebra course, the 2nd test is the hardest, and for many students the hardest test they will ever take. Lots of frustrated failure. This mission reminded me of those days.

[@iScoopyPal]

From 1969-72, I was a little boy stationed at the CIA Secret Base in Long Cheng, Laos. We grew up watching our local heroes flying T-28s against the North Vietnamese. Once in a while, we saw a few jets flying over Laos. Late at night, the long-distance and haunting hum of reconnaissance aircraft (maybe Douglas RB-66 or other types of AWACS) propagated in the South East Asia sky. Somehow, it was serious, gloomy, and life-threatening. I can still hear them today. Fortunately, after the war, many of us ended up in the west (France). By 12th grade, the fortunate ones have excelled in algebra and calculus. I can relate to how algebra classes have been so difficult for many college students. Having said this, I am wondering what math levels were required for students to achieve and become fighter pilots in the US at that time.

[@mattg9971]

Man...they teach Algebra in college?! I couldve sworn that Algebra was over before senior year in High School.

[@iScoopyPal]

@@mattg9971 In the US, generally, the Math program in high school is weak.

[@mattg9971]

@@iScoopyPal sad face*

[@maxcontinuous7195]

Really great mission gents. That community Skyhawk mod is just beautiful, and great to fly too. Really nice job with the editing too Cap, those external shots were gorgeous. And, of course, the boys did a bang up job beating down the bad guys. Gotta do more A-4 missions so you can get to unload on something with those gunpods Cap. It is fairly epic.

[@timbaskett6299]

I like the "Sandy-bolts" and the "PhantomCats"!! 😆 😂 The AGM-45 Shrike was a first generation Anti radiation missile, that's why they build the AGM-88 HARM!.

[@Bean-me5qh]

Love me some A-4. Great mission by Unexpected. Shame we didn't get to see Cap's Dakka Dakka Jet go full Space Ork on the SA-2 with those gun pods ;P Would have made for some epic boom boom! Next time!

[@roderickval]

More A-4 Missions man

[@blindtraveler844]

that was very fun to watch x

[@gregorymaupin6388]

Loved my beloved Forestall in this!

[@dimmekus1428]

This was fascinating!! How I WISH F-4s and Thunderchiefs were in the game!!

[@dannyb7371]

Skil should have been like "Cap, feel free to eject from my aircraft anytime you like ffs!" bloody uninvited guests....

[@KjekkasAron]

Nice vid cap!

[@Wolfe351]

A4 is an amazing mod....just so much detail crammed into a tiny plane

[@squireson]

The Skyraider was *_so pretty_* while it was on fire !! Gorgeous corpse there guys

[@Wolfe351]

that opening launch was awesome

[@floydlooney6837]

Do you guys remember Jane's US Navy Fighters '97? (with Marine add-on) It's graphics are very dated but I loved that game because I could set up my own battles.

[@GR_Whistler]

Had their DOS precursor in US Navy Fighters and the expansion Marine Fighters...where I earned my love and respect for Tomcat, Hornet, and Harrier... '97 added digital music and a Windows boot so no more boot disks. Later Jane's games continued the awesome with ATF/NATO Fighters and finally Fighters Anthology to complete the old Fighters series

[@floydlooney6837]

@@GR_Whistler and once I learned the trick to fly anything, like helicopters or the giant moth that shoots fireballs it was even more fun.

[@jonahbrame7874]

That was a fantastic mission!

[@kooky45]

High drama. That was great.

[@staubsauger2305]

Excellent. Moar A-4!

[@cassidy109]

I don’t think the SA-3 ever saw service during the Vietnam War, with the possible exception of the last few weeks of the conflict, after the December 1972 Linebacker II campaign. From all of my readings the only surface to air missiles (SAMs) the North Vietnamese ever utilized were SA-2s and starting with the 1972 Easter Offensive SA-7s.

[@grimreapers]

thx

[@thexpatplanner]

That was a bloodbath! Can’t wait for the F-4 and ideally a Vietnam map then a proper campaign. Looks so hard.

[@brucefrye8799]

This one was very exciting

[@mrlodwick]

Yes - got a pork chop dinner and beer watching this!

[@JohnDoe-re1ll]

Is there such a thing as a, "magnum chicken?" Very early launch my friend.

[@rreichar1]

The period correct photo on the instrument panel of the Skyhawk is 60/70s singer Linda Ronstadt.

[@BlackslooklikeHarambe]

Ok… and?

[@karbonfiba2044]

I would love to see a squadron of B-58 Hustlers on a mission....

[@ZuluFoxtrotBEAR]

A B-58 in DCS would be most excellent.

[@JoeC-bz2ep]

Heart thumper on that chase

[@GR_Whistler]

27:12 Damn 7F didn't even track, switched to a sidewinder...that nailed em, 30:40 Dang, he almost got the launcher before it fired the shot that got me and Luke, tried to crank but you saw the result

[@Faded-420]

The things on top of the wings are air stabilizer’s , turns turbulent air into smooth channeled air over the top of the wings. You’ll only notice a difference in a wind tunnel using smoke to show you the air patterns.

[@Faded-420]

Also, theres a reason they used to train pilots against those air frames in top gun. when they are stripped and naked (essentially weaponless) they are absolute rockets, and very maneuverable.. for their time at least. Wouldn’t stand a chance against modern tech.

[@cover_now3425]

Yep. That what vortex generators do ;)

[@jackroutledge352]

It's the other way round! They turn smooth air into turbulent air. Sounds odd that you would want to do that, but it delays flow separation, since turbulent flow is more resistant to flow sep than laminar. Same reason you have dimples on golf balls.

[@sparrowlt]

@@Faded-420 the Moongoose and the Super Fox were modified for Top Gun.. they had uprated engines and some mods (fixed slats) and striped of everything not strictly needed for dogfighting.. they were rockets with thrust to weight ratios of 1:1 . I have readed histories from instructors about how fast they climbed in unrestricted climbs after take off

[@nevinbrockett1858]

@@sparrowlt you readed it?

[@deemas6585]

The absolute heroes of this vid were the guys who managed not to simply quit and leave Cap screaming like a petulant child!

[@gruntopolouski5919]

Wow, that was great. Suggestion: How about a series of missions based on the original “Red Dawn” movie?

[@jbear7878]

YES! +1

[@leonrivers1684]

A-4 had the J-52 which was used in the A-6 and the EA-6B until they were retired. Very reliable motor. The Shrike is also early HARM so yeah it was junk

[@TheEvilmooseofdoom]

Wasn't the shrike a AA or SAM modified for antiradiation work? Or am I thinking something else?

[@leonrivers1684]

@@TheEvilmooseofdoom I do believe someone did mod it for ground launch work. It didn't start out as that

[@lucky_luke4785]

I just found out they made an anti radiation missile from the Rim-66/SM-2 body called the AGM-78 standard arm was carried by f-105, a-6 and f-4 in vietnam. I wish to have this but idk if F-4Es carried it

[@procommunistdestruction2318]

Good one here

[@raymondyee2008]

As it happened they did slow down the supplies to the VC and NVA forces but it failed to completely close the Ho Chi Minh Trail (hence it was a strategic failure).

[@timblack6422]

It’s a great day!

[@magnusmolund8402]

Let’s do it again 👍🏻

[@nath-hh2ff]

This such a cool era in general. Also, I'd say an area were dcs really shines plane set wise. And it should only get better! I l love the a-4. Then add the a-6, f-4, and I think the mig 17 too. Not too mention my favorite jet of all time. The one that makes my pants not fit the f-8 Crusader!

[@nickrubalcaba1585]

I love this era in jets because the F4 is the only plane I can fly competently lol.

[@BK45AUS]

Epic vid guys, although it would have been more awesome if we had seen CAP cranking off the gun pods.. Love the Vietnam Era stuff.

[@grimreapers]

agreed

[@Headhunter_212]

Just looked @ the calendar and noticed the date.. my uncle was a USMC FO KIA in VN on this date in 1967.

[@jbear7878]

Damn, man. Sorry to hear that.

[@JD-86-Eight_Zero]

Cap you all but did a cobra maneuver on take off that was epic.

[@grimreapers]

Roger, accidental cobra.

[@djchrismac]

You flyboys crack me up! :D

[@KG-gv1ds]

This is almost the exact same mission that John McCain flew when he was shot down, taken prisoner, etc.

[@cover_now3425]

We actually did that one ;) look back a bit

[@KG-gv1ds]

@@cover_now3425 oh awesome! way back in the archives...

[@cover_now3425]

@@KG-gv1ds 4000+ videos :), hard to keep em at the forefront.

[@5Andysalive]

Having recently watched it, you did a video on "superstalls" once where this vortex thingy came up. How lucky is it, you can do your research on your own videos these days :P

[@grimreapers]

lols yes

[@dburck56]

This is call sign Greybeard if you don't mind me saying cap you are a poor backseat driver. You could tell that you want to be up front doing the fighting. like your videos. This is one of the best and you take care

[@MarkoDash]

1941 Pearl Harbor raid but the ships docked there are the group for RIMPAC 2022. If the attackers win, allow for F-18 takeoffs from Hickam. If the ships win, limit them to self defence weapons.

[@masonyoung168]

I can't believe I'm saying this but Cap brought too much freedom!

[@lancer2204]

15:11 pish! You're just over compensating Cap! Do not use 40K as some kind of excuse! Edit: 19:20 no, it was Chrissy Amphlett from the Divinyls

[@torjones1701]

Too bad that SM2 couldn't have done that 20 seconds earlier... hell of a nail biter though! :)

[@thekikendallsautoandrandom1271]

Wish they would get skyraiders and thuds in the game. That would make things interesting

[@johnwilson2338]

Grim Reapers, I love the channel, and I just wanted to put an idea in y'alls head that just might be The fantasy of some of y'all, an A-4, but with the engine of an upgraded F-16! I know...🤮🤯🤯! .🤔🤔, my brilliant question to you is; Is it possible to modify/customize the engine, or do you Have to use the DCS options? It would be Sweet to have a Mach 1+ A-4!

[@techforthedisabled9514]

That was fun to watch thank you guys. Are any of you in the military? If so which branch?

[@cover_now3425]

Many were, some still are. Various branches and countries.

[@Davros-vi4qg]

CAP goes, gunz, gunz, gunz, gunz!

[@streetcop157]

Cap is a magician he turned a Skyhawk into a Thud….

[@System-Update]

Ace Mission. A4s are the best.

[@XanderDorn]

Grim Reapers karaoke night when?

[@grimreapers]

eek

[@MrNoobed]

Wow that f14 just totally bullying those mig21s

[@roentgen571]

Can't believe DCS doesn't have F4s fully modeled. I'd think that'd be one of the first they did.

[@No1sonuk]

Somebody give Hai a medal!

[@grimreapers]

agree

[@FenrisSulfr]

Nice vid Cap!! If you like vietnam missions... why not do Operation Rolling Thunder or Operation Linebacker ?^^ damn got me in Vietnam mode here... Watching the Intruder movie tonight haha

[@grimreapers]

Wilco

[@FenrisSulfr]

@@grimreapers To bad we still don't have the F-4 in DCS :( maybe operation BOLO? ^^ enjoy the weekend Cap!

[@paez4779]

That chase was intense.. I feel he could have taken the mig with an over shoot..

[@cshader2488]

chock one up for the NVA...

[@jbear7878]

Damn I realize this is all a bit of fun, but it’s hard for me to see it that way when you got a group of guys taking this seriously except for the one who let his mates down. Cap, you were fired on by a sam for quite some time before you even realized it, and that’s because you didn’t prepare. You could have been so much more productive if you had. At 36:20 lead tells the attack flight to hold back because there was still an SA3 site to deal with. It should have already been neutralized if you had not let your teammates down. Next time take a bit to do the pre mission work, it will be more enjoyable for everyone. A lot of people had to carry your weight in this one, needlessly. I’ve been binging all the GR vids for a week recovering from a surgery, and have enjoyed it immensely…until this mission. There were just so many moving parts to this one to not take it seriously.

[@kmb2776]

W mission

[@SentinelaCatolico]

HI, Guys! How we can download Custom Terrains like that? I'd like to play in a Tropical Forest / Amazon Forest like this.

[@TripleDaddy]

"This is a man's plane. For men."

[@RossOneEyed]

Cap talking bad about my lovely A-4....shame on you. 300+ hours in the A-4. She is a jewel...

[@grimreapers]

I love it really.

[@RossOneEyed]

@@grimreapers As an aside, if you really want to take out SAM sites with the A-4, use the CBU dispenser. You can set it to 2 on the multiple and get a real good coverage of an SA-2/3 site.

[@trevorday7923]

*** FORTUNATE SON INTENSIFIES ***

[@trevorbyrd1254]

What do u call the f16 folder for liveries?

[@Silo-Ren]

Question for the boy's or experts at hand. When a missle is fired I noticed it first uses it's rocket propulsion, but after a while it burns out into this hissing sound. When it's hissing, is it still running on a different propulsion and is it still manuvrable, meaning can it chase a target in all direction? Thnx.

[@TheEvilmooseofdoom]

Once the smoke stops it's coasting.