Fairchild AC-119 (Shadow / Stinger)

History

The Fairchild AC-119 "Shadow"/"Stinger" family of aircraft is nothing more than a modified form of the successful Korean War (1950-1953) era Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar". During the Vietnam War (1955-1975), the United States Air Force (USAF) was severely lacking capable C-130 Hercules transport aircraft for attack helicopter conversions, and so targeted the C-119, which is still in use in quantities available.

The result of this move was the AC-119G "Shadow" and related AC-119K "Stinger" variants.

By this point in military history, U.S. war planners had clearly recognized that slow-moving, low-flying, loitering aircraft with significant war loads were an essential part of protracted warfare in Southeast Asia. As a result, the development of side-firing gunships is often a role-shift from the existing fixed-wing, strut-powered military transport aircraft.

If properly armed and equipped with sensors and the proper equipment, these aircraft can remain at the station and provide significant firepower against a target or target area. As such, the modified Fairchild AC-119G and K models were used and surpassed in close air support (CAS) roles, where they could display their massive firepower and destroy anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves within the aiming range of a weapon .

AC-119G (Shadow) model entered service to replace the obsolete line of modified C-47 transports (as AC-47 "Spooky") and fired with 4 x 7.62mm electric GAU -2 armament/A miniguns ( Allows a total of 1,500 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition) and armor on key parts of the fuselage. The K is notable for its extended armament - 4 x 7.62mm miniguns combined with 2 x 20mm Gatling 6-barrel Vulcan autocannons (4,200 rounds total) - as well as being equipped with auxiliary jets Engines under the wings provide more power.

Each aircraft carries 60 x Mk 24 flares, launched by LAU-74/A series launch vehicles.

Although similar to aircraft in many ways, Shadows are typically used in CAS roles, while Stingers are used in Search and Destroy missions. In either case, both models work well for attacking enemy convoys, especially along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and around known supply lines and other so-called targets.

The G-model has a crew of 6 (one pilot, two navigators, a flight engineer, a dedicated gunner and a lighting operator) for day duty, plus two additional specialists for night time Task. The aircraft maintains its overall length of 86.5 feet, a wingspan of 109.3 feet, and a height of 26.7 feet.

The curb weight is 40,125 pounds, while the fully loaded MTOW is 62,000 pounds. Power comes from 2 Wright R-3350-85 "Duplex Cyclone" air-cooled radial piston engines, 3,500 hp each, driving a four-blade propeller unit.

Performance includes a top speed of 210 mph, a cruising speed of nearly 150 mph, a range of up to 1,950 miles, and a service ceiling of up to 23,300 feet.

This aircraft retains the general shape of the original C-119 transport aircraft. The fuselage is centrally located, and the main high-wing aircraft carries one engine. The twin cantilevers extend from the trailing edge of the wing and are connected by a common horizontal plane. Each boom ends with a vertical tail.

Tricycle (retractable) landing gear is used for ground operation.

Commissioned in November 1968, the combat squadron is part of the 14th Special Operations Wing and the 56th Special Operations Wing (Thailand) - both serving under the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command (TAC) banner.

Control of at least 16 AC-119Ks was handed over to the South Vietnamese Air Force in 1972, with a limited number operating at Thai airports that year, but by then the line had more or less come to an end.

The USAF officially abandoned the type in 1971, and a total of 52 airframes were converted for the role - only 5 were lost in combat.

Specification

Basic

Production

Roles

Dimensions

Weight

Performance

Performance

Armor

Changes