Veterans from the Vietnam War are finally getting to tell their stories to a new generation of people eager to learn more about the conflict.

History

The AC-47 represented an entirely new ground attack strategy necessitated by the shifting combat tactics of the Vietnam War.  Call sign “Spooky,” the vintage aircraft could “loiter” for long periods at night and defend American ground troops, bases, and villages on demand, using powerful side-firing weapons. No base or village was ever lost to the enemy when they were defended by the 4th Special Operations Squadron “Spookies.”

Project 

The Gulf Coast Wing was recently assigned this 1944 C-47 Skytrain, which will be restored as a Vietnam-era AC-47 gunship. While this aircraft's airframe, engines, and flight controls are in good condition, the interior is bare. The Gulf Coast Wing proposes to refit the interior and repaint the exterior to restore the airplane as a tribute to the 4th Special Operations Squadron, which operated the well-known gunships in Vietnam. Some of the interior equipment they plan to install includes mini-guns, flare racks, a communications compartment, and passenger seats.

Objective

Once restored, the aircraft will participate in aviation events and military tributes honoring the aviators and maintainers who flew and supported the “Spookies” in the mid-1960s. The Gulf Coast Wing actively engages the public and works with ROTC units, scout troops, public schools, the Civil Air Patrol, and universities. Veteran Special Operations and many Vietnam War veterans have already responded enthusiastically to the project and are eager to have this historically accurate restoration aircraft available to tell their story.