{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Behind the Wings","title":"The Most Dangerous Plane to Fly in Vietnam - Episode 76","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4008,"description":"Air Force veteran Art Elser reveals what it took to fly low, slow, and exposed as a forward air controller during the Vietnam War.\nIn this episode, Host Rick Crandall talks with former forward air controller Art Elser about flying more than 400 combat missions in the Cessna O-2A Skymaster and O-1E Bird Dog. From directing air support over the Ho Chi Minh Trail to helping Special Forces teams under fire, Elser offers a personal account of aviation, fear, courage, responsibility, and the long journey home. This one is going to be cool!\n\nWhat you’ll hear:\nInside the O-2 Skymaster: How a civilian aircraft became a flying observation post, radio relay, and target marker\nThe forward air controller mission: Why FAC pilots remained low over the battlefield after faster aircraft departed\nO-1 Bird Dog vs. O-2 Skymaster: How the aircraft differed in handling, performance, and suitability for remote airstrips\nMarking targets under fire: How Elser used white-phosphorus “Willie Pete” rockets to guide attacking aircraft\nOver the Ho Chi Minh Trail: Searching for trucks, supply areas, choke points, and hidden movement beneath the jungle\nNight operations: Using starlight scopes, Blind Bat flare ships, B-57 Canberras, and F-4 Phantoms to find targets in darkness\nBecoming “Jake 44”: How Elser built personal relationships with the Special Forces teams who depended on him\nCourage and coming home: What Elser learned about fear, character, loss, and carrying the war’s memories into civilian life\nLearn More:\nRead the full show notes on the Wings Over the Rockies website\nDonate to Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum\nSubscribe and leave a review to support the show\nThis episode is supported in part by United Airlines.","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/sRmrC6FuoNH3pWa6rkZLjBH-8M0Unad9ARZWGqJnqyY/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMxNDU0LzE2NTQy/MDAwNjgtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}