C-47 "Spooky" question...

Fri May 16, 2008 2:54 pm

I am so confused...are there TWO "Spooky" C-47's running around?

Website · Fri May 16, 2008 3:22 pm

I believe so. Also, if I'm not mistaken there is another one as well. It was at the Wings of Freedom Air Shows a few years back in Minnesota.

Fri May 16, 2008 3:29 pm

"Spooky" is actually the nickname given to the weapon system from the Viet Nam era which used the C-47 as its flying platform. They took a C-47, added machine guns and "mini-guns", and also a 75mm cannon, aimed them all through window holes on one side, and would orbit the target blowing the living sierra out of it. They were able to stay long on station, and were often a very effective option for suppressive fire.

Pretty much any C-47 modified to carry the armament was called a "Spooky"

They were replaced after the Viet Nam War by the AC-130 "Spectre"

So, if you see more than one C-47 with the name "Spooky" there is good cause for it...

Robbie

Fri May 16, 2008 4:10 pm

Zane...believe the first photo is Rick Sharpe's "Spooky" newly restored and I know there is another one from Kansas (correct if I'm wrong) that flew with us in the Nam routine at AirSho (several of the crew are WIXers). Pretty sure there are some more around the States as the name was more an aircraft "type" rather than a name for a particular plane.

Fri May 16, 2008 4:34 pm

There was a Spooky AC-47 that used to come to AirVenture on a regular basis, but I don't think it's been here in the past few years. Really interesting as they offered ground tours through it. I'll have to check my photos and see which one it was.

I'd love to see a C-119 converted into a AC-119G Shadow gunship make the circuits someday, but I doubt that will ever happen.

Zack

Fri May 16, 2008 4:42 pm

I understand the name...I just didn't know there was more than one flying airshows in virtually the same paint.

Thanks guys..and gal :wink:

Fri May 16, 2008 5:28 pm

Here are some photos I took of the example which was at the Minnesota Wings of Freedom air show a few years back...

This is the one that I have been most familiar with.

Fri May 16, 2008 5:43 pm

If I'm not mistaken, they were replaced toward the end of the Vietnam War with the AC-130, as well as after.

Robbie Roberts wrote:"Spooky" is actually the nickname given to the weapon system from the Viet Nam era which used the C-47 as its flying platform. They took a C-47, added machine guns and "mini-guns", and also a 75mm cannon, aimed them all through window holes on one side, and would orbit the target blowing the living sierra out of it. They were able to stay long on station, and were often a very effective option for suppressive fire.

Pretty much any C-47 modified to carry the armament was called a "Spooky"

They were replaced after the Viet Nam War by the AC-130 "Spectre"

So, if you see more than one C-47 with the name "Spooky" there is good cause for it...

Robbie

Fri May 16, 2008 8:46 pm

All 4 types flew in Vietnam. Were created in this order. I dont believe that the AC-47 ever carried the 75mm. Early version had the M2 .50 cal. The remainder carried the Burlington Vermont built General Electric XM-134.

As the airplanes got bigger, the 20mm and 75mm and even 105's were carried.................pretty cool.

AC-47 "Spooky"
AC-119G "Shadow"
AC-119K "Stinger"
AC-130 "spectre"

If I remember right, my neighbor flew to Vensuela to set up the XM134 in 2 Basler Turbo DC-3's for their military.

Fri May 16, 2008 8:46 pm

There's an AC-47 gunship here at the Andrews AFB show today. It is very different to the one shown, and has a really wonderful faded matte paint job. These birds really are fascinating. Wish that a real one had survived.

Cheers,
Richard

Fri May 16, 2008 10:11 pm

I was @Cu Chi RVN in 69 & 70 and got to see and hear a C47 Spooky (or Puff the Magic Dragon as some called it) one night near our base. Saw a steady stream of tracers and then would hear the sound of the miniguns.
Sure was glad they were on our side