Does anyone make a kit of one of these, or a conversion kit? I forget exactly what they were called, but sometimes went by the nickname “Spooky” or “Puff the Magic Dragon”. They were basically C-47’s with various weapons added. I may be dreaming again, but i think there was once a C-119 “Flying Boxcar” gunship…
Ok wikipedia says it was the AC-119 and the AC-47 “Spooky” …any kits of either?
MPC/Airfix used to have a 1/72 version of the AC-47. It was called “Puff the Magic Dragon”, “Puff”, “Spooky” and a few other names. The Air Force also modified C-119s into gunships usualy called “Shadow” and C-130s called “Spectre”. There are kits of both available. Testors has the original A model AC-130 with 3 bladed props and the later E and H model with 4 bladed props and different combination of guns. Do a google search on any of those names or numbers and you will get a lot of information.
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Testors/Italeri released both an AC-119 and AC-47 kit in 1/72 scale. Both are decent kits for the scale. The AC-47 has options for the first AC47 in overall silver, then later markings with sand and spinach on top with white undersides, and of course the final black undersides.
I have my 47 and 119 haging above my 1/48 AC-130 for the gunship part of my collection.
Pardon the dust and cobwebs [:-^]
don’t forget the original monogram ac-47 "puff the magic dragon’ release. anyone seen “the green berets” with john wayne lately? pretty horrifying display of firepower.
btw, who knew what that peter paul and mary song was about anyway, until ben stiller wrecked it . . .
Your right on the money. I have a personnel interest in the Spooky as my father served with the 4th ACS aboard Spookys for his first tour in Viet Nam, and was later a tail gunner aboard B-52s. I have some of his slides of the AC-47s he photographed back then.
I think the Italeri is the better of the 1/72 options. It builds up nicely OOB and the miniguns are detailed decently.
If you just want a quick build, the 1/90 Monogram is a decent kit. Does not have much detail and all the lines and rivets are raised and a tad thick. But it is actually one of my favorite kits (almost a squadron of 1/90 DC-3s, C-47s, and AC-47s on my shelf).
I think it is Cutting Edge that produced a 1/48 conversion for the Monogram kit. I have it stashed in one of my 1/48 C-47s, just not sure which pile to start digging through. It is a resin set including the three miniguns, ammo boxes and flare boxes (if memory serves right). I can’t comment if it fits or goes together good as I have not put it together yet.
I’ll see if I can scan some of the slides and post them later if your interested.
The gunships! Oh you gotta love those things. AC-47 Spooky, AC-119 Stinger and Shadow (primary diff was that one version had a couple of jets slung underneath the outer wings in pods like the B-36), and AC-130 Spectres. Each version of the Spectre has progressively improved the weapons systems and sensors carried up to todays AC-130U. Cutting Edge did do a conversion kit in 48th for Monograms C-47 kit. Testors makes or has made the AC-130A and AC-130U in 48th. Not sure if they ever did the E or H versions. I dont know of anyone dooing the 119 in 48th but that would be a great one to see.
Last night I saw the 1/48 Monogram AC-47 gunship on Ebay for like $75…
I built one of the Monograms long, long ago. I remember that the miniguns were basically barrels on a flat piece of plastic that you glued to the inside of the fuselage - even back then I was disappointed. I think it was molded in dark green - aside from the lack of detail, I remember it as being easy to throw together. But when I was a kid, every kit was ‘easy to throw together’ - I wasn’t a stickler for attention to detail, as long as I could get the kit together.
I’ve always been big on finishing something - it’s like a mania. I even find myself getting a minor rush when I use the last staple, because I get to load more staples. But with models, as an adult I was finally able to suppress the need to get it done for the sake of being done, and I can actually take my time now. The quality? that isn’t necessarily automatic. [:D] But at least I can sweat the small stuff now.
Thanks you guys, I would love to see those slides by the way. I’m going to try to get that one off of Ebay, alumni found me a cheaper one.
actually they first gunship was named “Spooky”, and was based out of Da Nang. All others were called “Puff”, but some others down south later took the name “Spooky.” I could be wrong, but don’t think AC119’s showed up till late 1969 or in 1970. If my memory is correct the AC47 used the standard small door instead of the big door like the cargo version did. Aside from hearing it overhead, I think I actually only saw the plane a couple time in Da Nang. It was an often visitor out our way.
gary
Here are some of the scanned slides. The slides are stamped with a “Developed on date” of Sept’66. One of the pics I didn’t include was of a group photo in front of a large white sign with “Spooky Operations” in big black letters. On a couple of shots you’ll notice an odd ball. One of the aircraft still has its cargo door mounted, the side which has the minigun.
As a twist, my little brother is in the Air Force, with the 4th SOS crewing AC-130s. Funny how things work out.
Wow…thanks! Do you know where the picture looking over the minigun in flight was taken?