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!!!

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