Military or Ex-Military C5 Owners [merged]
05-14-2012, 04:00 PM
#726
Air force weapons on fighters one year at Phan Rang VN...then B52's Merced Ca 4 total
05-14-2012, 04:09 PM
#727
The only thing that was fabric covered on the C-47 was the control surfaces, ailerons, elevators and rudder, to save weight on the manually operated, non-boosted controls. I really liked flying the old Gooney Bird. There are currently two aircraft in the inventory that are giving it a run for the money, the B-52 and the C-130, and both of them have been highly modified since inception. The C-130 is now, still in production after 50 something years, on the "K" model, I think. I liked the C-47 more than I did the C-130 and have about 2500 hours on each.
In case there is someone not familiar with "Puff the Magic Dragon", it was the C-47 with three Genreal Electric mini guns hard mounted out the left side. We were the forerunner of the Specter (C-130_ gunships that they have today. We carried 24,000 rounds of 7.60 (.30 cal) ammunition and 48 2 million candle-power flares. Slow fire rate was 3500 rounds per minute, per gun and fast fire was around 6,000. A good pilot could put every one of the 24,000 rounds inside an area the size of a football field. This, mind you, was at night, flying at about 175 mph, in a circle at 3,000 feet above the ground.
In case there is someone not familiar with "Puff the Magic Dragon", it was the C-47 with three Genreal Electric mini guns hard mounted out the left side. We were the forerunner of the Specter (C-130_ gunships that they have today. We carried 24,000 rounds of 7.60 (.30 cal) ammunition and 48 2 million candle-power flares. Slow fire rate was 3500 rounds per minute, per gun and fast fire was around 6,000. A good pilot could put every one of the 24,000 rounds inside an area the size of a football field. This, mind you, was at night, flying at about 175 mph, in a circle at 3,000 feet above the ground.
05-14-2012, 04:11 PM
#728
We had support from Puff (C-47) the night of 9/15/68 up near the DMZ after it was learned we were surrounded by an NVA regiment. There is no doubt in my mind that they (planes stayed on station all night) kept us from being overrun or suffering very serious loses. It's very impressive to see the stream of tracers coming from them. I've never been so happy to see the sun come up in my life. 
05-14-2012, 07:04 PM
#729
Team Owner
Member Since: May 2000
Location: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
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U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
USAF 1966-1990
05-14-2012, 08:07 PM
#731
Burning Brakes
Grew up military as the son of a USAF helicopter pilot. He's still the only guy I ever personally knew who won the Distinguished Flying Cross 3 times. After a few drinks he used to tell stories about flying into "West Vietnam." He was and will always be my personal hero, may he rest in peace.
I was a United States Marine 1978-2008. Semper Fi and YATYAS
(You Ain't Tracks, You Ain't ****)!
I was a United States Marine 1978-2008. Semper Fi and YATYAS
(You Ain't Tracks, You Ain't ****)!
Last edited by Marine One; 05-14-2012 at 08:16 PM.
05-14-2012, 09:26 PM
#734
US Army
1973 to 1976.
Snot nosed 17 year old! My Mom had to sign so I could join. Wasn't doing anything in school, and knew I was headed nowhere. I guess you could say they straightened me up....seem to be doing OK now.
Snot nosed 17 year old! My Mom had to sign so I could join. Wasn't doing anything in school, and knew I was headed nowhere. I guess you could say they straightened me up....seem to be doing OK now.
05-15-2012, 08:41 PM
#738
Burning Brakes
