Ep 5. Hell Over Hanoi

During the Vietnam War, US forces faced one of the deadliest anti-aircraft threats in history. The North Vietnamese, aided by the Soviet Union and China, had an array of surface-to-air missiles and artillery ready to take down any American aircraft in its airspace. In episode 5 of Dogfights, titled "Hell Over Hanoi," we get an in-depth look at the intense aerial battles that took place over the skies of Hanoi in 1972.

The episode begins by setting the stage for the conflict. The US military had ramped up its bombing campaign against North Vietnam in hopes of forcing them to negotiate a peace agreement. However, the North Vietnamese were determined to hold out and were willing to absorb heavy losses to protect their homeland. They deployed their top-of-the-line SAM (surface-to-air missile) batteries and AAA (Anti-Aircraft Artillery) around Hanoi to shoot down any American plane that dared to enter their airspace.

The episode then introduces us to the two main fighter planes that would be involved in the conflict: the F-4 Phantom II and the MiG-21. The F-4 was the primary fighter-bomber used by the US military in Vietnam. It was designed to take on ground targets with its impressive payload of bombs and rockets. However, it was not well-suited for dogfighting. The MiG-21, on the other hand, was a nimble and fast Soviet fighter plane that could outmaneuver the F-4 in the air.

The first half of the episode focuses on the American bombing campaign and the North Vietnamese response. We see interviews with pilots who share their experiences of flying into Hanoi. They describe the incredible firepower of the enemy's AAA and SAM defenses. One pilot compares flying into North Vietnam to "flying through a hailstorm of bullets." We also see dramatic footage of planes being hit by SAMs and exploding in mid-air.

The second half of the episode focuses on the dogfights between American F-4s and North Vietnamese MiG-21s. We see dramatic recreations of these battles, using a mix of CGI and real footage. The battles are intense and chaotic, with planes flying in every direction and missiles being launched in rapid succession. The F-4s struggle to keep up with the nimble MiGs, but they rely on their superior technology and training to gain the upper hand. We also see footage of pilots ejecting from their planes after being hit by enemy fire.

One of the highlights of the episode is an interview with legendary F-4 pilot Steve Ritchie. Ritchie is the only Air Force ace of the Vietnam War and is credited with shooting down five MiGs. He shares his experiences of flying into Hanoi and describes the adrenaline rush of dogfighting with enemy pilots. Ritchie is a fascinating interviewee and provides valuable insight into the mindset of a fighter pilot.

Overall, "Hell Over Hanoi" is a riveting episode of Dogfights that provides a fascinating look into the aerial battles of the Vietnam War. The combination of interviews with pilots, real footage, and CGI recreations makes for a compelling viewing experience. The episode does an excellent job of capturing the chaos and danger of flying into hostile territory and provides a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by American pilots during the war.