The Douglas AC-47 ("Puff, the Magic Dragon") was the first in a series of fixed-wing gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. It was designed to provide …

Puff the Magic Dragon flew back and forth over the battlefield that night in 1967, dropping huge two million-candle-power parachute flares and occasionally lighting up the sky with his fiery …

Oct 25, 2024 · Unleashing horrifying firepower and raining death and destruction on to the communist forces in Vietnam from the dark skies above, the AC-47 fixed-wing gunship was …

Aug 20, 2021 · The AC-47 was a repurposed cargo aircraft that became the first fixed-wing gunship operated in Southeast Asia, and it got its nickname, “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” from …

Aug 7, 2015 · Known variously as Puff the Magic Dragon, Dragonships or just Spooky, the AC-47 gunship, with its broadside battery of GE miniguns, was a sight to behold.

Dec 3, 2024 · Known as “Puff the Magic Dragon,” this gunship rained down an awe-inspiring barrage of firepower, defending over 4,000 outposts without losing a single position. Here’s …

May 12, 2018 · Although the AC-47D “Spooky”, commonly referred to as “Puff” (as in “Puff the Magic Dragon”), was an effective attack system, it was also vulnerable to enemy fire. Fifteen …

Oct 20, 2023 · The Gunship theory was to create a fixed-wing, side-firing aircraft with the ability to perform pylon turns. The turn allowed the aircraft to orbit over a fixed point, wherein the …

Feb 10, 2024 · Will Dabbs, a former U.S. Army aviator, examines the Douglas AC-47 Spooky. The first in a series of fixed wing planes developed by the U.S. Air Force to be used as gunships, …

Feb 1, 2025 · The Douglas AC-47 Spooky was the first dedicated U.S. Air Force gunship, laying the foundation for modern aerial fire support. Nicknamed "Spooky" and sometimes referred to …