[RockJock]

[trex0770]

Good looking plane Roger! I might have to pick one up.

[Cruver Collecter]

Now that is a pretty neat way to model a C-47, looks pretty good too.

[Captain Eddie]

How was a C 47 gunship used......I know, I know, to SHOOT something...but what, and under what circumstances?

[flyXwire]

Not bad! This is the gunship that started it all...."Death From Above"

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

How was a C 47 gunship used......I know, I know, to SHOOT something...but what, and under what circumstances?

Usually performed close air support for ground troops or used to take out enemy vehicles and whatever else needed to be destroyed. Basically, they would set-up a race track pattern over the target, dip the left wing in a pylon turn and pull the trigger. The AC-47 "Spooky" was the first gunship followed by the AC-119 and the AC-130. Here's an additional tidbit: The AC-130U is known as "Spooky" in honor of the AC-47, while all other 130 model gunships are known as "Spectre."

Though not an AC-47, this will give you an idea of how the plane looks when firing:



Note: Photo from the USAF website

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

How was a C 47 gunship used......I know, I know, to SHOOT something...but what, and under what circumstances?

Before my father passed away he told me how a C-47 gunship saved their bacon during his tour in Vietnam (That story also goes with how he got his Purple Heart).

[Captain Eddie]

I'd think they would be terribly vulnerable being used this way....low and slow.

[1250ships]

Originally Posted by Captain Eddie

I'd think they would be terribly vulnerable being used this way....low and slow.

I believe they mostly flew at night just as the current gunships do for exactly that reason.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by 1250ships

I believe they mostly flew at night just as the current gunships do for exactly that reason.

Bingo...most of the time, the bad guys on the ground don't know what hit them, until it's too late.

Not to hijack the thread, but here's an example. Keep in mind this is ACTUAL gun camera footage from an AC-130 in Afghanistan. Please take that into consideration before watching: