AC-130 Spectre

The AC-130 Spectre adapted the old C-130 airframe into a new gunship weapon system whose high-wing design and large capacity made it especially suitable for carrying heavier weapons, with guns mounted below the wings to avoid a basic problem of the AC-47. Spectre was operationally tested at Eglin AFB, Florida, from June to September 1967, deployed to Nha Trang AB, Vietnam, on 20 September 1967, flew its first combat mission on September 27th, and its first truck-busting mission on November 8, 1967. All A-model gunships were assigned to the 8th TFW, which became the 16th SOS, and during Vietnam these gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving close air support missions. This AC-130A, serial number 53-3129, was the first C-130 to come off the production line in 1953, became the original prototype for a long line of C-130 aircraft, and was affectionately dubbed "The First Lady." It was one of five AC-130A gunships retired during an official ceremony, while the others went to storage, and the 711th Special Operations Squadron of the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Florida, was the last unit to fly it before its retirement on 10 September 1995 after 40 years of service.

Florida · United States