December 7, 2007 at 11:14 am
I’m currently reading the book “Shadow and Stinger” (William P. Head), about the development of the AC-119G/K gunships for the Vietnam War. A “much-in-detail” book. But interesting anyway 😎 What a struggle to meet specifications, production goals, deadlines and budgets. Save weight, improve performance and a lot of other things.
But, are there any of these “AC-47 to AC-130” interim aircrafts left in airworthy condition?
By: J Boyle - 10th December 2007 at 19:07
Foe what it’s worth, there are two civil AC-47 gunships flying in the U.S.
Whether they’re real ex-ACs or more recent conversions I don’t know, but two are on the airshow circuit.
By: Jesper - 10th December 2007 at 18:22
Thanks guys. I did not think that there actually was any left. (Read somewhere else in this forum, that a 40+ was captured by the North Vietnamese army) But – you never know – there could have been some spirit hearted people out there, doing their best to keep yet another vintage bird in the air 🙂
By: CSheppardholedi - 8th December 2007 at 04:04
Hmmm….though it looks like the Hurlburt A/C may just be painted to look like the AC-119, and is perhaps just a “C”
By: CSheppardholedi - 8th December 2007 at 04:02
Hurlburt Field Florida has one-Static not flying.
http://www.gunships.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=lastcom&cat=-4
By: Jan - 7th December 2007 at 16:35
Of the 52 AC-119 conversions (26 each of AC-119G and ‘K), five were lost by the USAF, with most of the remainder being passed to the VNAF around 1972/73. Most of these were captured in April 1975, although two or three escaped this fate, being flown to Thailand. I seem to recall that the innards of one of the captured AC-119’s was shipped to the Soviet Union. (More on this operation can be found in Istvan Toperczer’s book on the VPAF, Air War over North Vietnam.
I do not believe any original AC-119’s are in existence.
Regards,
Jan
By: J Boyle - 7th December 2007 at 14:36
No.
There are few airworthy C-119s left, let alone gunships.
I can’t even recall seeing one static, though I’m sure there are 1 or 2.