The Douglas AC-47 Spooky was developed by the United States Air Force as a ground attack aircraft and close air support gunship. It was a modification of the C-47 and was the first in a family of fixed-wing gunships throughout the Second Indochina War.

Manufacturer:
Douglas Aircraft Co.
Country:
United States
Manufactured:
1963 to: 1965
ICAO:
AC47
Price:
Avionics:
Engine:
2x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-S1C3G Twin Wasp
Piston
Power:
1,200 horsepower
Max Cruise Speed:
200 knots
370 Km/h
Approach Speed (Vref):
Travel range:
1,890 Nautical Miles
3,500 Kilometers
Fuel Economy:
Service Ceiling:
24,450 feet
Rate of Climb:
1130 feet / minute
5.74metre / second
Take Off Distance:
Landing Distance:
Max Take Off Weight:
15,000 Kg
33,069 lbs
Max Landing Weight:
Max Payload:
2,700 Kg
5,952 lbs
Fuel Tank Capacity:
822 gallon
3,112 litre
Baggage Volume:
Seats - Economy / General:
7 seats
Seats - Business Class:
Seats - First Class:
Cabin Height:
Cabin Width:
Cabin Length:
Exterior Length:
19.6 metre - 64.30 feet
Tail height:
4.1 metre - 13.45 feet
Fuselage Diameter:
2.1 metre - 6.89 feet
Wing Span / Rotor Diameter:
29 metre - 95.14 feet
Wing Tips:
No Winglets

The Douglas AC-47 was a modification of the military transport C-47 incorporating 3×7.62 mm miniguns by General Electric firing from the rear windows on the left side, as well as the cargo door, to deliver close air support for ground troops.

The AC-47 was also configured with the same weaponry as of the C-47 across the world. The guns were operated through the yoke where the pilot could actuate the guns separately or cooperatively, notwithstanding that gunmen were also between the crew to aid when the guns fail or encounter any problem.

The aircraft could circle the target for hours, firing suppressive fire to prevent an enemy force from moving or shooting. It was also equipped with flares to counter an infrared bombing surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile.

The aircraft had an external length of 19.6 meters, an external height of 5.16 meters, a tail height of 4.1 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 2.1 meters. It has a wingspan of 29 meters, a wing area of 91.7 square meters, and a wheelbase of 10.9 meters. It could accommodate seven crew members including a pilot, copilot, navigator, flight engineer, loadmaster, and two gunners.

The AC-47 is powered by two Pratt and Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines. The engine is a fourteen-cylinder two-row supercharged air-cooled radial type with two overhead valves per cylinder, single-speed General Electric centrifugal-type supercharger, and a two-barrel Stromberg carburetor. Each engine produces a maximum thrust of 1,200 horsepower.

The aircraft has a maximum speed of 200 knots, a cruise speed of 152 knots, and a travel range of 1,890 nautical miles. It can fly up to 24,450 feet and can climb up to 1,130 feet per minute. The maximum takeoff weight is 15,000 kg and the maximum payload is 2,700 kg. It can store a maximum fuel capacity of 822 gallons.

The production of United States military conversion commenced from 1963 to 1965.

All Douglas Aircraft Co. Aircraft

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