The "First Lady"
Tail Number: 53-3129, "The First Lady"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Haiti
First production C-130A
Retired in 1995.
On display at the USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Fla.
The Rest of the A Model Gunship Fleet
(Note: Unofficial aircraft names for some aircraft may have changed over the
AC-130’s service period. The names listed here are either the longest used or
best known)
54-1623
"Ghost Rider"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Desert Storm, Haiti
Retired in 1994 and on display at
Dobbins AFB, GA
54-1625
"The Warlord"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Hit by 37 mm AAA over Laos on 21 April 1970 One crewmen bailed out and was rescued, but ten were lost in the crash. Staff Sergeant E. Fields was the only survivor.
Lt. Col. C. Rowley
Lt. Col. C. Davis
Maj. D. Fischer
Maj. W. Brooks
Lt. John Towle
MSgt. R. Ireland
Sgt. T. Adachi
Sgt. D. Harris
Sgt. R. Hensley
A1C. D. Lint
54-1626
"Vulcan Express",
also "Super Spooky"
Major Operations:
Vietnam/Flight Test
Prototype AC-130A modification. Used for combat evaluations and test. Retired in 1976 and on outdoor display at The USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio
54-1627
"Gomer Grinder"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Retired in1976 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
54-1628
"The Exterminator"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Retired in 1994 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
54-1629
"The Arbitrator"
Battle damaged over Laos on 24 May 1969, Most of crew bailed out but IO was injured so Pilot elected to land. Aircraft crashed and burned on landing at Ubon RTAFB. The Flight Engineer and Illuminator Operator were killed in crash.
SSgt. C. F. Taylor
SSgt. J. W. Troglen
54-1630
"Mor's De Caelis" when in the Plain Jane configuration and
"Azrael", Angel of Death when in the Pave Pronto Configuration
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia,Desert Storm, Haiti
Retired in 1995 and on indoor display at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio
55-0011
"Night Stalker"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Desert Storm, Haiti
Retired in 1994 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
55-0014
"Jaws of Death"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Desert Storm
Retired in 1995 and on outdoor display at The Robins AFB Museum, Georgia.
55-0029
"Midnight Express"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Haiti
Retired in 1994 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
55-0040
"Orion The Hunter"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Retired in 1976 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
55-0043
"Odin"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Shot down by SA-7 SAM over the A Shau Valley 18 June 1972. Aircraft disintegrated in flight. Three crewmen were blown out, parachuted to safety then were rescued. Twelve were lost in the crash.
Maj. G. F. Ayers
Maj. R. H. Harrison
Capt. M. G. Danielson
Capt. P. F. Gilbert
Capt. R. A. Wilson
SMSgt. J. E. Mercer
TSgt. R. M. Cole
SSgt. D. H. Klinke
TSgt. L. J. Newman
TSgt. R. E. Nyhof
Sgt. S. L. Lehrke
SSgt. L. A. Hunt
55-0044
"Prometheus"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Shot down by SA-2 SAM near Tchepone, Laos, 29 March 1972. There were no survivors.
Maj. H. P. Brauner
Maj. L. B. Ramsower
Maj. H. D. Stephenson
Capt. R. Castillo
Capt. R. C. Halpin
Capt. C. D. Miller
Capt. C. T. Wanzell
Capt. R. B. Young
SSgt. J. K. Cantford
SSgt. M. L. Paulson
SSgt. R. J. Pearce
SSgt. R. D. Smith
Sgt. W. A. Todd
A1C. R. R. Simmons
55-0046
"Proud Warrior"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Panama, Haiti
Retired in 1994 to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ
56-0469
"Grim Reaper"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Retired in 1994 and converted to an AC-130U Armament Systems Trainer at Hurlburt Field
56-0490
"Thor"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
Shot down by 37mm AAA near Pakse Laos on 21 Dec. 1972. Two crewmen bailed out, fourteen others were lost in the crash.
Maj. P. O. Meder
Maj. R. A. Walsh
Capt. J. R. Birch
Capt. D. R. Dickens
Capt. T. J. Hart
Capt. S. N. Kroboth
Capt. H. R. Lagerwall
Capt. R. L. Liles
Lt. G. D. Macdonald
SSgt. R. T. Elliott
TSgt. J. Q. Winningham
TSgt. J. P. Fuller
A1C. C. R. Fenter
A1C. R. K. Reaid
56-0509
"Raids Kill 'Em Dead"
retired as"Ultimate End"
Major Operations: Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Panama, Desert Storm
Retired in 1995. On display at the Air Commando Heritage Park, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
"A" Models ROCK!
Information for this section courtesy of:
Frank Vaughn, Paul Hart, Bill Bosley, Tom Robison, D. Kind, Craig Landefeld,
Bob Daley, Ron Girard
Photos for this section courtesy of: Steve Whitton, Ron Girard, Mark Gerschefske,
Bob Wollman...THANK YOU ALL!!!