terryr%cse.ogc.edu@RELAY.CS.NET (Terry Rooker) (07/06/89)
From: Terry Rooker <terryr%cse.ogc.edu@RELAY.CS.NET>
There has been a lot of discussion about gunships on the newsgroup.
For the record here is a summary of the various gunhsips used by the
US, primarily in Vietnam.
AC-47: converted C-47. 3 7.62mm miniguns. ROF 6000 rds/min
each. (some had 10 30 cal MGs. converted because of the
shortage of miniguns.)
AC-119G: converted Flying Boxcars. 4 7.62mm miniguns.
AC-119K: 4 7.62mm miniguns, and 2 20mm vulcans.
AC-130A: 4 7.62mm miniguns and 4 20mm vulcans. (some had 2
7.62mm miniguns, 2 20mm vulcans, and 2 40mm bofors).
AC-130E: 2 7.62mm miniguns, 2 20 mm vulcans, and 2 40mm bofors.
(some had 2 7.62mm miniguns, 2 20mm vulcans, 1 40mm bofors, and 1
105mm howitzer! all firing out the left side!).
AC-130H: 2 7.62mm miniguns, 2 20mm vulcans, 1 40mm bofors, and 1
105mm howitzer.
AC/NC-123: 36 cluster bomb units.
AP-2H & OP-2E: (USN) 2 7.62mm miniguns, and bombs. (some also
had a 40mm grenade launching MG). Converted P-2 Neptunes.
YOV-10D: (USMC) NBronco. 20mm gatling in turret.
The following were designed solely as export gunships for smaller
nations;
AU-23A: converted Pilatus Turbo-Porter. 1 20mm gatling or 2 7.62
miniguns, and various bombs.
AU-24A: converted Helio Courier. 1 20mm gatling and various
bombs.
Of course there were numerous modification and variations among
equipment carried. There are also variations in designation. AC-47's
were sometimes designated FC-47, although the fighter jocks got upset
about cargo planes getting a fighter designation. The radio call
signs became associated with the aircraft (AC-47 Spooky, AC-119G
Shadow, AC-119K Stinger, AC-130 Spectre, and AC/NC-123 Black
Spot). Most of this information came from _Gunships_ Squadron/Signal
Publications (look in a hobby store). Since the book is written for
modellers, it has extensive details about all the aircraft and the
modifications (field and official). To the best of my knowledge there
are model kits available for the AC-47 and AC-130. I've seen C-119
kits and was told by the store manager, that it probably wouldn't take
long for the company to modify the molds to get a AC-119.
Some of these aircraft are still operational. The Navy and Marines do
not operate gunships now. The USAF has 4 AC-130's, some of which were
used in Grenada. AC-47's have been transfered to Honduras, and El
Salvador(?). Numerous gunships were left behind in Vietnam, Cambodia,
Laos, and Thailand. Whether any are operational, I don't know. One
warning about potential confusion; the US special operations forces
use AC-130 Spectres, and MkIII Spectre patrol boats, so reference to a
Spectre may not be a gunship.
Terry Rooker terryr@cse.ogc.edunews@BLACKBIRD.AFIT.AF.MIL (News System Account) (07/07/89)
From: news@BLACKBIRD.AFIT.AF.MIL (News System Account) In article <7983@cbnews.ATT.COM> terryr%cse.ogc.edu@RELAY.CS.NET (Terry Rooker) writes: > > AC-130E: 2 7.62mm miniguns, 2 20 mm vulcans, and 2 40mm bofors. > (some had 2 7.62mm miniguns, 2 20mm vulcans, 1 40mm bofors, and 1 > 105mm howitzer! all firing out the left side!). > > >Terry Rooker terryr@cse.ogc.edu I cannot resist posting a followup. I've been on one of these during a training exercise. (3 hours in a 30 degree left bank most of the time) The 20mm vulcans take two people to operate. One to fire, the other to scoop the empty shells out of the way so the pile doesn't jam up the gun. It's a real thrill to feel the airplane move sideways when the 105mm is fired. *************************************************************** STANDARD AIR FORCE DISCLAIMER These views do not reflect the opinion of the government. If the government wanted my views, it would ask for them. Capt Stuart Sheldon AFIT/ENA Box 4209 (513) 255-6460 WPAFB OH 45433 AV785-6460 ssheldon@galaxy.afit.af.mil ssheldon@afit-ab.arpa ****************************************************************