I'm no expert here, I bow to JD's apparent knowledge of the DC3/C47 but weren't some of them armed up in Vietnam and given the nickname "Puff The Magic Dragon"???
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I'm no expert here, I bow to JD's apparent knowledge of the DC3/C47 but weren't some of them armed up in Vietnam and given the nickname "Puff The Magic Dragon"???
Yes. This was a part, perhaps a large part of the high use of spares that I noted. From memory they simply mounted a heavy machine gun in the doorway, and left the door off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ausfree
They had the advantage over a helicopter gunship of higher transit speed, much longer endurance, and could carry much more ammunition. Probably also a more stable gun platform. Furthermore, cheap and quickly available.
John
Call name SPOOKY,
The AC-47 was a United States Air Force C-47 Skytrain (the military version of the DC-3) that had been modified by mounting three .30 in (7.62 mm) General Electric miniguns to fire through two rear window openings and the side cargo door, all on the left (pilot's) side of the aircraft. Other armament configurations could also be found on similar C-47 based aircraft around the world. The guns were actuated by a control on the pilot's yoke, where he could control the guns either individually or together, though gunners were also among the crew to assist with gun failures and similar issues. Its primary function was close air support for ground troops. It could orbit the target for hours providing suppressing fire. Coverage given by a Spooky was over an elliptical area approximately 52 yd (47.5 m) in diameter, placing a round every 2.4 yd (2.2 m) during a 3-second burst.
The plane carried 24,000 rounds of minigun ammunition and flares, which it could drop to light up the battleground.
[ame]https://youtu.be/uKOrpyO0z48[/ame]
From memory the original idea came from what the Brits used to do in the 1920's and '30's when 'policing' the Middle East using airpower. An aircraft used to do a tight pylon turn over a drop point (fort or installation) and feed out a basket with a message or supplies out the side using a long rope. That way there was no need to land if it was dangerous to do so.