This is the legend of the angel from above who is the father of AC-130...
The C-47 played a variety of roles in World War II.
Up until the Korean War, it was a military supply transport aircraft.
Transport paratroopers into enemy territory and act as a glider towing aircraft.
But it was during the Vietnam War that this giant bird was given a great mission.
It was a flight with three miniguns firing 7.62 mm bullets.
Through the dark nights to destroy the forces of the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers.
The idea of having aircraft to support ground forces
It has been around since 1926 and in fact, this technique has been tried and proven.
That it could be put to practical use in 1927 when Lieutenant Fred Nelson
A U.S. Army Air Corps aircraft flies a DH-4.
Equipped with a .30 caliber machine gun and destroying ground targets.
But the US Army Air Corps never seriously applied this idea.
It wasn't until 1963 that the idea of having an aircraft with side-firing weapons emerged.
The C3-131B aircraft that has been modified will be put to serious testing again.
The sight and one minigun were installed and successfully tested in the initial phase.
And it was tested again with a C-47 aircraft.
The US Air Force has deployed AC-47 Dragon aircraft.
Fly on a mission over the skies of South Vietnam.
In support of Allied military bases of operation during the Vietnam War
The C-47 is an excellent mission aircraft.
Finally, the commander of the US Air Force at that time
Air Chief Marshal Curtis LeMay has given the go-ahead for the aircraft.
Two C-47 models were modified.
Interior of a C-47 that eventually became an AC-47.
It will be a modification of the cargo section.
Three 7.62 mm Miniguns are mounted on the left side of the aircraft.
Two holes are drilled to accommodate two miniguns.
and use the existing door as a slot to mount another minigun.
The triggers of the three Miniguns are connected to a push button located inside the cockpit.
AC-47 pilot
The plane will take off with a crew of seven.
and travel to small bases and villages
Attacked by North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces.
Night airstrike by AC-47D Spooky gunship
Over the skies of Saigon in 1968.
Upon reaching the destination where the gunfight occurred
The crew will then release the flares from the open doors.
And the pilot will fly in circles.
and bombarded the target with bullets throughout the flight.
A US Air Force AC-47D Spooky gunship attack.
In the skies of the MACV command center
(Military Assistance Command, Vietnam)
Team 21 at Pleku in May 1969.
This can be seen from the picture showing the trajectory of a tracer bullet fired from an aircraft.
If the threat is beyond what the AC-47 can handle,
The crew will then drop a target-identifying flare to the fighter plane.
Those who come to support can see the target
and can immediately attack the enemy and the AC-47 aircraft
It will continue to fly around the area to direct the attack.
Of the fighter aircraft that came to support
There were many times when the pilots and crews of the AC-47 aircraft performed heroic acts.
One of them was Flight Sergeant John L. Levitow.
John was on the AC-47 that was hit by mortar fire.
Petty Officer 1st Class John L. Levitow received the Medal of Honor.
Even though John was hit by more than 40 pieces of shrapnel that were scattered around him,
John also noticed that there was a firework that had been set off by one of the crew on the plane.
Rolling around inside the plane
Although the fireworks haven't fully ignited yet , it's only a short time.
Before it ignites , if this firework is ignited,
This flare could kill the crew and possibly cause the ammunition inside the plane to explode.
John then crawled to the rolling firework and grabbed it with his body.
His wounds were all over him and he moved towards the plane's door.
John was able to throw it out just in time before the firework could ignite.
The AC-47 aircraft, nicknamed "Puff the Magic Dragon"
From people who have seen its performance
It was so effective that the Air Force saw its potential.
and began testing the Gunship II project
This project has evolved into the current AC-130 aircraft.
AC-130 aircraft and interior
It can be seen that the firepower of the AC-47 has been increased several times over before.
There is a Gatling gun that uses 25 mm bullets.
One Bofors gun, 40 mm caliber.
and the cannon uses 105 mm. shells.
Currently, air support firepower
Help create fear in the enemy and also help
Boost the morale of field staff
In every major battlefield of the world today
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Written by Thepphong Chaiyarat on September 20, 2020
