AC-119 Gunship
The AC-119 gunship was a heavily-armed, ground-attack, twin-engine aircraft which was used by the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. The AC-119 was produced in two variants by Fairchild Aircraft Company: the AC-119G Shadow and the AC-119K Stinger. In Vietnam they flew alongside the AC-130 Spectre gunship, replacing the outdated AC-47 Spooky. The Shadow entered service in 1968 and was retired in 1971, but it continued in service with the South Vietnamese Air Force until 1975.
The AC-119 gunship was developed from the C-119 Flying Boxcar, which was a transport aircraft, for interdiction of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The AC-119Gs were placed in the 71st Special Operations Squadron, while the AC-119Ks were deployed with the 18th Special Operations Squadron. During the Vietnam War, only five AC-119 Gunship IIIs were lost to different causes.
Specifications for the AC-119 Shadow
Engine: two Wright R-3350-85 "Duplex Cyclone" radial piston engines, 3,500 hp each.
Maximum speed: 210 mph (335 km/h).
Range: 1,930 mi (3,100 km).
Service ceiling: 23,300 ft (7,100 m).
Length: 86 ft 5¾ in (26.36 m).
Wingspan: 109 ft 3¼ in (33.31 m).
Crew: eight (night)
Weapons: four GAU-2/A 7.62mm (0.30 in) miniguns; two M61 Vulcan 20mm cannons; sixty Mk 24 flares in an LAU-74/A flare launcher.
AC-119 Gunship in Vietnam (Video)
