The Aircraft Wrecks of Grenada

On the quiet island of Grenada in the Caribbean are a couple of wrecked planes - which are actually practically all that remains of a final military action fought towards the end of the Cold War.

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[grafixbyjorj]

An-2 registration is in Cyrillic, so it's pronounced SSSR-71189. The lettering down the side says Aeroflot, so it was likely a passenger transport configuration before going to Grenada

[burtuppercut]

The AN 2 would still start, bit of WD40 and you're away.

[perrydowd]

We never got the full story of the invasion over here. I had no idea that there was so much resistance to the American forces, or given the arms cache, so much at stake. Thanks Ed, this vid has been a real education.
👍👍👍👍👍

[Parocha]

Grenada... Lovely little island. The food is great, people are nice and welcoming.

[tomsmith]

The conversation between Thatcher and Regan after the invasion is quite an interesting listen now it's been released. Thanks for the video.

[mikearmstrong]

Speaking of combat casualties being not only due to hostile fire, there were quite a few casualties from other helicopter assaults on the island as well.

This marked the first action by UH-60 Blackhawks, and pilots who were still not thoroughly familiar with the aircraft suffered accidents. A string of 5 UH-60s attempted a fast combat landing in a line, with the pilots discovering that the Blackhawk did not flare as quickly as a Huey, being much heavier. 4 of the 5 hit hard and boxcar'd into each other, which didn't exactly improve the condition of the troops on board.

[davidray]

Could you possibly give an update on some of the world conflicts which have dropped off radar since the invasion of Ukraine? I can't find good reporting on Myanmar, Tigray or Yemen that is remotely current. I figure you have sources and access to analysis which the average person doesn't, and would appreciate your insight.

[bennybenitez]

I was there in Oct 1983 whilst on cruise with Carrier Air-wing 6 onboard USS INDEPENDENCE CV-62 with USN Fighter Squadron VF-32

[christoffermonikander]

So this is basically Ed's vacation videos. 😜😁

[liamperry]

I think the confrontation continues. Same horses, different jockeys.

[heavybreath]

Was in Washington that week - went to Andrews Airbase and saw the weapons cache captured on the island Along with several armored cars (BRDM -2) and personnel carriers (BTR 60)

[andrewharper]

Nice one Ed, both my parents are Grenadian. Whole situation was unbelievable, UK attention in it's sphere of influence was waning back then. USA operation was frowned upon by PM Thatcher due to lack of a heads up.

[alanocarlossur]

I had a friend in the 75th. He was extremely disappointed that his plane was able to land at the airport. He didn't get to jump, so he didn't get the gold star on his jump wings :(

[RandomTrinidadian]

Random Fact: my country (Trinidad and Tobago) did not support the invasion. But the government feared we could have been used as a rally point.

There use to be a abandoned American air field left over from the war on the north of the island. Was kinda remote back then but the gov. Ended up destroying it cause didnt want it being user without them knowing.

[michaelkaylor]

And that my friends, is how you write a vacation off your taxes as a work trip! Well played sir, well played!

[MarkTheMorose]

I kept expecting Clint Eastwood to suddenly appear, having improvised, adapted, and overcome.

[michaelmoorrees]

I remember that invasion. I was in college at the time, so I'm roughly the same age as those medical students. They'd be close to the end of their careers, if not already retired, by now.

[Sam-edkk]

Mr. Nash, nice footnote footage. Cheers😃The rest was good too! Anyhow, left a like.

[emjackson]

Fascinating.

I listened to the UK Confidential episode from Radio 4 which covered this, apparently Thatcher was furious at Reagan over this.

[stretch]

The AN 2 is such a great aircraft. Very sad to see one in such a sorry state. Dose anyone make a 1.48 scale kit of it?