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Description
During Vietnam, the US Air Force found it needed specialized aircraft to defend firebases and such from night attacks. After some experimentation, the first "gunships" were put in service by modifying C-47 Skytrains into AC-47s, codenamed Spooky. These were followed by modified C-119 Flying Boxcars (AC-119 Scorpions) and then the penultimate gunship, the AC-130 Spectre.

The type I have here is the AC-130H, equipped with two Vulcan 20mm gatling cannons forward of the wing, and a Bofors 40mm cannon and a 105mm howitzer behind the wing. This mod first entered service just before the end of the Vietnam War; the 40mm and 105mm could be used against tanks. Today's USAF AC-130Us have replaced the armament with other firepower; the Spectre seen in "Transformers" retained the 40mm and 105mm. They're also painted in two shades of gray, but for my fictional AC-130 here, I've retained the Vietnam-era matt black, with red sigils. Since the squadron is named "Kraken," a mean-looking squid is on the tail. I've also added a RAF-style refuelling probe and a few other electronic doodads.

Figured I'd give props to someone besides the fighter mafia...

Description
During Vietnam, the US Air Force found it needed specialized aircraft to defend firebases and such from night attacks. After some experimentation, the first "gunships" were put in service by modifying C-47 Skytrains into AC-47s, codenamed Spooky. These were followed by modified C-119 Flying Boxcars (AC-119 Scorpions) and then the penultimate gunship, the AC-130 Spectre.

The type I have here is the AC-130H, equipped with two Vulcan 20mm gatling cannons forward of the wing, and a Bofors 40mm cannon and a 105mm howitzer behind the wing. This mod first entered service just before the end of the Vietnam War; the 40mm and 105mm could be used against tanks. Today's USAF AC-130Us have replaced the armament with other firepower; the Spectre seen in "Transformers" retained the 40mm and 105mm. They're also painted in two shades of gray, but for my fictional AC-130 here, I've retained the Vietnam-era matt black, with red sigils. Since the squadron is named "Kraken," a mean-looking squid is on the tail. I've also added a RAF-style refuelling probe and a few other electronic doodads.

Figured I'd give props to someone besides the fighter mafia...