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 more firepower than light and medium ground-attack aircraft in certain situations when ground forces called for close air support .

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 red breath.

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 the first of its kind.

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 the glowing red emissions that lit up the sky while the aircraft was in the air.

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 how this legendary aircraft revolutionized aerial warfare, setting …

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 aircraft were lost between December 1965 and September 1969.

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 weapon would focus a heavy amount of fire on a single target.

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, the aircraft brought a lot of firepower to Americans with an urgent need in the Vietnam War.

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 as "Puff the Magic Dragon" due to its ability to unleash devastating firepower, the AC-47 was instrumental during the Vietnam War.