The Deadliest MiG Hunter Who Just Couldn't Stop

Рет қаралды 66,504

Ай бұрын

On the morning of September 9, 1972, amidst the bustling skies west of Hanoi, where clashes between American Phantoms and Soviet-made North Vietnamese Migs occurred with increasing frequency, Captain John A. Madden, Jr. and his Weapons Systems Officer Charles "Chuck" DeBellevue, embarked on MiGCAP duties. Together, they soared above the treacherous skies in their F-4D Phantom.
Suddenly, they locked onto a MiG, and the hunt turned into a confrontation as the duo maneuvered to engage. But while their target appeared within reach, the MiG pilot, adept at evasion tactics, detected their approach and swiftly accelerated away, eluding the Americans' pursuit.
Before long, their radar revealed another opportunity: two unsuspecting MiG-19s, oblivious to the precision of the weapons systems officer. The duoquickly executed a slicing, low-speed yo-yo maneuver, positioning themselves behind the enemy aircraft. DeBellevue then fired an AIM-9 Sidewinder, detonating just 25 feet from one of the Soviet-made planes. Without delay, they targeted the second MiG, launching another Sidewinder. DeBellevue observed the missile hitting the MiG's tail, sending the aircraft hurtling towards the ground.
As they returned to base, the adrenaline of the chase led them to believe they’d only shot the second MiG. Unbeknownst to them, they’d hit both. For Captain Madden, these triumphs marked his initiation into the elite circle of MiG hunters, securing his first and second victories. However, for Captain Chuck DeBellevue, that fateful day catapulted him into the spotlight as the war's foremost MiG destroyer, propelling him to "Ace" status. And he was just getting started…
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As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

Пікірлер: 84

@crash4687 Ай бұрын

As someone figured out from the photo, Chuck got another chance at pilot training after his tour in Vietnam. I heard that he wanted to go to Fighter Weapons School as a WSO Instructor but someone convinced him that it would be better for his career if he went to pilot training. I met Chuck when we both trained in the F-4C at Luke AFB in 1974. Also in my 426 TFTS “Snoopy” class was Jeff Feinstein, another WSO turned pilot after Vietnam with many MiG kills. I remember in particular a lecture by Feinstein about Combat Tree. With Combat Tree a WSO was able to positively identify a radar target as being an enemy aircraft. I heard that a couple of Ritchie’s kills were radar splashes after shooting at Combat Tree identified enemy fighters. Also I was told that Ritchie was hand-picked to be the first Air Force (as opposed to Navy) ace and often went up as the designated shooter if enemy fighters were detected. I lost track of Chuck and Jeff after graduating from Luke. Two other bits of information. I was up on an air refueling training sortie when Albuquerque Center came up on Guard and announced that President Nixon had resigned. We graduated from Luke in December 1974 and President Ford was in attendance for the delivery of the first F-15 to the Air Force; almost 50 years ago! What a long life for the F-15! By comparison, the F-4 was in the inventory from about 1963-late seventies (best I can remember). To my way of thinking, the F-15E Strike Eagle is very similar in concept to the multi-role F-4 but obviously with much greater capabilities. I was born too soon!!!

@ljessecusterl Ай бұрын

A minor correction: Robert Lodge intentionally went down with his Phantom as he would not allow himself to be captured. He said this often to his squadronmates; that he wouldn't allow himself to be captured due to his knowledge of classified and sensitive materials. I've had this verified by another Triple Nickel squadron pilot local to me. He had nothing but effusive praise for Chuck, as well. Called him the best backseater in the USAF during Vietnam. A possible oversight: not mentioning that after his sixth victory, the USAF forced him to go through pilot training, as they didn't want the highest-scoring USAF ace to be a WSO. He was given a choice of forced retirement or becoming a pilot. He chose to become a pilot. My father had this verified by Chuck himself in person.

@user-ym2ve7be8l Ай бұрын

Thanks for the additional info!

@colkelley Ай бұрын

I met Chuck when I was going through NFO training at NAS Pensacola in 1973 and the "I have two sets of orders" story I can verify...the choice of separation or pilot training. Chuck was wearing two sets of wings. Oddly enough, while flying the EP-3E during the evacuation of Vietnam April 29-30 as an EW Evaluator with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron ONE (VQ-1) I had the opportunity to "dogfight" a NVN MiG-21PF. The following is from the recently edited and revised official squadron history which now includes previously-classified information: "During the evacuation PR-35, an unarmed intelligence reconnaissance aircraft flew with no national insignias, and Crew 36 was intercepted by a North Vietnamese MiG-21PF fighter. Because of the electronic intercept capability and communication intercept capability of the EP-3E Deepwell/Ares II aircraft and the capabilities of the enlisted aircrew the Electronic Warfare Officer, (EWO/EVAL), Ensign Michael Kelley was able to detect the intercept and successfully alert the pilots to take evasive maneuvers with the assistance of the “Biglook” operator AT2 David D’Amore which allowed the EP-3E (the size of a medium airliner) to evade the AA-2 Atoll AAM fired at PR-35 by the NVN MiG-21. The MiG then fired it’s 23mm cannon at the aircraft hitting the vertical stabilizer and horizontal stabilizer, shrapnel penetrating the aircraft cabin before leaving the area after receiving instructions from the onboard communications operators ("spoofing" and instructing the MiG pilot as his GCI [Ground Control Intercept] center). The Electronic Aircraft Commander (EWAC), Lt Michael Asher, requested AA (anti-aircraft) assistance and fighter protection from the USS Constellation, (CV-64), the reply was, 'You don’t exist, no escort available for you.'”

@richardgoebel226 Ай бұрын

Adding to your comments, Major Lodge had 4 Mig kills before he went down.

@thomasfx3190 19 күн бұрын

This is confirmed in the audio debrief & presentation of that mission by CPT Roger Locher, Lodge wanted to go down with his aircraft because he feared the Vietnamese would beat him to death and get classified info in the process. Gutsy move, one that I could not say I'd have the courage to replicate.

@richardgoebel226 Ай бұрын

A minor correction. The Combat Tree was a combination of the APX-76 IFF interrogator AND the APX-81 Enemy IFF interrogator. Both were synchronized with the aircraft radar system which did not have a look down shoot down ability. The Migs would fly down low under the phantoms and be lost in the ground clutter. To find them was the real value of the APX-81.

@guernica69 Ай бұрын

Thank you for your great work making these vids, perhaps mixing the music track a bit lower relative the vocal track would make it easier to follow, though

@renatobarbosa5985 Ай бұрын

No music would be better.

@mclarenscca Ай бұрын

I can't explain it, but the Phantom is my favorite of the American miltary jet age! In 2nd place would be the Tomcat!

@user-McGiver Ай бұрын

no need to explain... Phantoms are legends!... We still fly them in the Greek Air Force, together with Vipers, Rafales, and F-35s [soon to come...], and actually among the pilots flying Phantoms is a great honor!...

@shenanigansagain5273 Ай бұрын

Wow same here! Not sure why, I know they are inferior to other jets, but those two have been my favorite my whole life. 3rd for me is the blackbird, even tho its in a different catagory.

@paradoxfromks Ай бұрын

5:10 While the F-4D could carry a vulcan gatling gun in a pod, the first version of the phantom to carry an internal cannon was the long nose F-4E.

@arnenelson4495 Ай бұрын

Excellent video!

@daystatesniper01 Ай бұрын

Good video but that film of the EC 121 Warning Star what a BEAST

@josephpacchetti5997 Ай бұрын

Great Video as Always. 👍🇺🇸

@Dsdcain Ай бұрын

My favorite cold war aircraft looks wise is the F4 Phantom.

@the80hdgaming Ай бұрын

The F4 is fucking amazing...

@cheekybastard99 Ай бұрын

It's my second looks wise and third functional wise.

@greybone777 Ай бұрын

The phantom has always been my favorite jet . Many variations and very fast.

@joebass5 Ай бұрын

I really like the background music. Sound is half of a movie.

@whiteknight374 22 күн бұрын

1:00 As far as I know (and I ought to know, because I was an F4-E Weapon System Officer myself, albeit post-Vietnam), Phantom WSOs had no ability to actually fire any missiles, drop bombs, or fire the cannon. Although the WSO had a pivotal role to play during air-to-air combat, that role consisted primarily of operating the radar to identify and achieve a radar lock on potential targets; only the pilot could select and actually dispense the weapons.

@thomasfx3190 19 күн бұрын

Perhaps it was just Navy F4s but I've heard of RIOs firing missiles in Vietnam before.

@mikemontgomery2654 15 күн бұрын

The F-4D did not have a Vulcan cannon. The first Phantom with an internal cannon was the E model. The D was only able to carry missiles and/or a gun pod. The pod was not very popular.

@frankthompson9119 29 күн бұрын

Some of those aircraft show NAVY on the side.

@user-xz9hu4rd2v Ай бұрын

That picture of him in blues he's wearing pilot wings, so I guess he's the only pilot in history that became an ace before he became a pilot.

@teamgonzo9289 Ай бұрын

Very, very cool!!! ✌️😎👍

@terry_willis Ай бұрын

When did Dark Docs start adding background music?

@user-sv2zq8mn2h 5 күн бұрын

A hodgepodge of footage thrown together. Let’s see, got USAF Phantoms, USN Phantoms, USN training footage of NavyF-4s sparring with F-8 Crusaders etc.

@ianray8823 Ай бұрын

There could be a buddy comedy movie from 2 dudes on military combat flight missions

@Mrgunsngear Ай бұрын

🇺🇸

@_M_O_O_S_E Ай бұрын

What about "Ghost of Kiev" lol 😂😂😂

@alexzhangdragonn3438 Ай бұрын

Russia crashes its jets by itself

@marksuper3802 Ай бұрын

More like a magician that makes money disappear in America and reappear in Ukraine.

@jakesanchez7235 Ай бұрын

@@marksuper3802you don’t understand how giving military hardware works, and it’s showing. Anything we are sending has been produced, old, and is close to being expired. We replenish by buying from companies that are in America & give jobs to Americans.

@HubertofLiege Ай бұрын

@@jakesanchez7235same argument when boots on the ground go, already produced, trained and close to expiration. We’re making new as we speak.

@marksuper3802 Ай бұрын

@@jakesanchez7235 forgot to factor ethics, integrity, and the damage t to the reputation of the “Land of the free” into the equation in my opinion. Thanks for enlightening me.

@alphillips5478 Ай бұрын

Wasnt one of the BIGGEST COMPLAINTS RE F-4 was the fact there were no guns!? Which made close quarters combat useless

@Silverhornet81 Ай бұрын

The F-4D did not have a gun. It wasn't installed until the E model.

@user-og1ux8nr3i Ай бұрын

Because the powers that be decided guns wouldn’t be needed. Like when they decided that didn’t need to practice dog fighting since that wouldn’t happen any more.

@Silverhornet81 Ай бұрын

@@user-og1ux8nr3i And we all know how that worked out..

@SuperBommer1 Ай бұрын

True they did use the gunpod but that was mostly for ground atack An F4C did have sucseccfull gun pod mig kill

@user-og1ux8nr3i Ай бұрын

@@SuperBommer1 -- my understanding is they added the gun because there was still in close dog fighting even though the brass didn’t think it was going to happen.

@SuperBommer1 Ай бұрын

@@user-og1ux8nr3i yes but turned out the gun pod was even better for ground atack

@nickt9522 Ай бұрын

Omg that music. Hope you do not do this to anymore 😢

@OWG55 Ай бұрын

👍🏼😎

@auro1986 Ай бұрын

why he did not shoot with aim7 which has long range?

@ljessecusterl Ай бұрын

The Sparrow had a 13% rate of effectiveness. It wasn't uncommon for Phantom drivers and WSOs/RIOs to ripple fire them because of how often they'd just fall off the rail without the motor igniting.

@allenmichaud1605 Ай бұрын

From what I've learned from Vietnam vets Americans never not once had any sort of "upper hand".

@SewerynPas Ай бұрын

legit me

@user-pq5hz5kx5u Ай бұрын

You’re not an Ace after 2 kills it takes 5

@_JamesBrown Ай бұрын

Dumb as a brick but once in the air.....

@markbroad119 Ай бұрын

Did you say he started college in '68 but graduated in '69 ?🤨

@occamsrayzor Ай бұрын

Please lose the incredibly irritating music from these otherwise excellent videos.

@marcwatson4277 Ай бұрын

First! 🎉

@esna9505 Ай бұрын

Remove the music. U talkso faast

@freedom5574 Ай бұрын

Glorification of killing is so sad

@StalinTheMan0fSteel Ай бұрын

I can't watch this, the music ruined what could be a good video.

@IRBry Ай бұрын

audio production is under rated

@hollyy6345 Ай бұрын

The background music is unnecessary and distracting,

@thomasdoheny8096 Ай бұрын

I don’t particularly like it either. It’s jazz they are playing it because he is from Louisiana

@leadsolo2751 22 күн бұрын

It's Fine - Not all of us hv issues with simple focus 😅

@MadAdventure919 Ай бұрын

It's funny how the American propaganda works so hard to prop up their jets, but forgot to mention MiGs were the most flexible and versatile part of the most lethal air defense system US aircraft had ever faced. The MiGs were not the greatest threat. USAF combat losses in Vietnam were distributed as 67 to MiGs, 110 to surface-to-air missiles, and 1,443 to antiaircraft artillery.

@franktreppiedi2208 Ай бұрын

It's been said many times MiGs were alot lighter and more maneuverable than F-4s. It also mentions how many losses the USAF suffered to MiGs.

@MaxKrumholz Ай бұрын

The Russian Aircraft Killer that Drove Everyone Absolutely Crazy? OF WHAT MIG21? It's German design with UK engine - also in process of Vietnam War received Bad Copy of Sidewinder Missile.. ( no radar) ... When USSR did F4 copy (whey want to ) and do MIG23 with Radar and even copy (whey don't understand what it is) from F4 kniwes near air intakes (cut if needed cables on aircraft carrier during problem in landing).... So USSR 3 generation Mig21-23(Israel beat it even with Mirage3) - loose F4(3 generation)

@ljessecusterl Ай бұрын

The Sidewinder isn't a radar-guided missile. It is and always has been an infrared homing missile. And they didn't have a bad copy of it; they had an exact copy of it.

@colkelley Ай бұрын

The Atoll is an air-to-air missile of the former Soviet Union. Atoll is the NATO code name for the Soviet K-13, a copy of the U.S. Sidewinder air-to-air, heat-seeking missile. Atoll originated in 1958, when a Sidewinder fired from a Taiwanese F-86 fighter in the Taiwan Strait lodged in an aircraft of the People's Republic of China but did not detonate. China recovered the missile intact and turned it over to the Soviet Union, which copied the design, mass-produced the missile, and exported Atolls to its client states.