0098 Piper PA-48 Enforcer Lockheed AC-130A Hercules Douglas C-39

The Piper PA 48 Enforcer is a turboprop-powered light close-support ground-attack aircraft built by Piper Aircraft Corporation.Lakeland ,Florida it is base on the well-known North American P-51 Mustang of World War II fame.By dirction of Congress,the U.S.Air Force evaluated the aircraft,beging in 1983.Testing was conducted in 1984 and the U.S.Air Force decided not to order the Piper PA 48 Enforcer

 

Since the Piper PA-48 Enforcer was never in the U.S.Air Force inventory,it was not given an official military designation and did not receive an U.S. Air Force serial number.Instead,it carries the Piper designation PA-48 Federal Aviation Administration registration number N481PE.Although the airframe resmble that of the North American P-51 Mustang,the Piper PA -48 Enforcer is essentially a new aircraft.

 

 

Lockheed AC-130A Hercules

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The Lockheed C-130 Hercules was originally designed as an assault transport capable of operating from unpaved,hastily prepared airstrips.On August 23,1953,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules made itis first flight.By 1976 more than 1,200 Lockheed C-130 Hercules had been ordered,includinaircraft equipped for radar weather mapping and reconnaissance,mid-air space capsule recovery,search and rescue,ambulance service,drone launching,and mid-air refueling of helicopters.the Lockheed C-130 Hercules could transport up to 92 combat troop and their gear or 4,5000 pounds of cargo.Where facilties were inadequate,the Lockheed C-130 Hercules could deliver its corgo by parachute or by low altitude gound-cable extraction without landing.

 

Twenty-eight Lockheed C-130 Hercules were converted to side-fire gunships,primarily for night attacks against ground targets.This Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio as the prototype for for the gunship version was initially equipped with four 20 milimeter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns milti barrel guns,a searchlight and target sensors.After testing in Southeast Asia in 1967,it was used as a test bed for additional armament,sensor and fire control development.Later Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships mounted improved sensors,a digital fire control computer and heavier armamet.

 

Lockheed AC-130

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With the success of the Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky"or "Puff the Magic Dragon "and "Puff" gunships in Southeast Asia,the U.S.Air Force created tow modifation programs for improved and larger gunships.The Fairchild AC-119G Flying Boxcar "Shadows" and Fairchild AC-119K Flying Boxcar "Stingers" were developed under the Gunship III program and Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was developed under the Gunship II program.

 

Compared to the Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky"or "Puff the Magic Dragon" and "Puff",the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules "Spectre" gunship were equipped with more and bigger guns--four MXU-470 7.62 milimeter miniguns and four M61A1 20 milimter cannons.Gunship II program was also equipped with a more sophisticated avionics suite including the Night Observition Divice,Forward Looking InfaRed,side looking radar,beacon tracking radar and a fire control computer system.The Lockheed AC-130A hercules was also equipped with a 20 kilowatt (1.5 million candlepower)illumnutor and a flare launcher.

 

On February 26,1967,the first aircraft (JC-130A Hercules S/N 54-1626) was selected for conversion into the prototype Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship.The modification were done in April 1967 and May 1967 at Wright -Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,by the Aeronaultical Systems Divison.Flight testing of the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules prototype was done primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida and began on June 6,1967.Test and addition modifications were done throughout the sumer of 1967.By early September 1967,the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was certifed ready for combat testing.The Lockhed AC-130 Hercules prototype was flown to Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam arriving on September 21,1967,for a -90 day test program.

 

Combat test and Evaluation

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The prototype Lockheed AC-130A Hercules Gunship II program (initial designaed Gunbot)was modified at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio in the spring of 1967.Initial flight testing was done during the summer of 1967 primarly at Eglin Air Force Base,Florida.The aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules was flown to South Vietnam for follow-on-flight testing under combat conditions.

 

The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules arrived at Nha Trang Air Base ,South Vietnam on September 21,1967.The initial test of the Gunship II program involed close Air Support in the southern region of South Vietnam in the Mekong River Delta area.Close Air Support was critical mission since supprt of Troops In Contact always toke precedence over gunship missions.The next of tests evaluated the aircaft's Lockheed AC-130 Hercules interdiction capabilities primarly against enemy trucks operating on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in the Tiger Hound (southeast quadrant of the panhandle) area of Laos.The final phase of test program involode flying armed reconnaissance missions in the central highland of South Vietnam (Vietnam People's Army (NVA)2nd Army Corps area).Actual combat sorties were flown between September 24,1697 and December 1,1967.

 

The results of combat test program were very encourageding.The Gunship II program was particularly good at interdiction of enemy supply vehicles.Of the 94 vehicles sighted,38 vehicles were destroyed (verified direct hits and secondary explosions or sustained fire).During the combat evaluation,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules fired more than 85,000 rounds of 20 milimeter cannon ammunition and more than 200,000 rounds of 7.62 milimeter miniguns amnunition.While the combat test program was successful,there were some serious problms identified which would require fixing before the "production" Lockheed AC-130A Hercules modification program could begin.

 

After the prototype Lockheed AC-130A Hercules completed its initial combat evaluation in early December 1967,problems indentifed duringt the test program were evaluated and integraated into an upgrade and overhaul plane to expected to take until mindsimmer 1968.However,because of the success of first combat test,General William C.Westmoreland,Commander of the United States Military Assistance Command,Vietnam,requested the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules be returned to Southeast Asia as soon as possible,so it could be used befor the start of the "wet" season Monsoon in late spring 1968.General William W.Momyer Commander of the 7th Air Force,dircted the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules overhaul include only essential fixes and gunship be returned to Southeast Asia by the begining of spring 1968.The overhaul was completed in early Febuary 1968 and the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules arrived back in Southeast Asia on Febuary 12,1968.During the second combat test,the Gunship II program was based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand a forward operating locaction of the 14th Air Commando Wing based at Nha Trang Air Base,South Vietnam (location of the first combat test.

 

The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules prototype conducted the second combat evaluation between Febuary 27,1968 and May 14,1968.Forty -three combat missions were flown over Laos,primarly in the "Steel Tiger" area of the panhandle.Eight hundred 74 enemy vehicles were sighted--212 vehicles were destroyed and 107 vehicles damaged.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules also destroyed one 37 milimeter antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site and damaged four more 37 milimeter antiaircraft artiller (AAA) sites.

 

Because of some early problems with the gunship's fire control system and often heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA),the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules teamed up with Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Covey" forward air controller (FAC) and Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" flare ships.The Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" was very effective detecting targets using its star light scope;however,it flew predictable search pattern altitudes (right hand circular or race track at 8,000 feet -11,000 feet altitude).Enemy gunners were quick to realize if they heard or saw the unarmed Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" orbiting their positin,an attack strike was imminet and to hold fire waiting on the strike aircraft.The Lockheed AC-130A Hercules was highly vulnerable in this sitiuation,so if a Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat" spotted a target,it would relay the information to the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship and clear the area.This allowed the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship to achive some amount of surprise when attacking defended ground targets,although most cases,the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules simply avoided areas known to contain heavy enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA)

 

The overall conclusion of the second test program was the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules would be extremely effective in interdicting supply lines if the antiaircraft artillery (AAA) defense were first neutralized.Note: Because of the bombing halt in place during the spring of 1968,three Cessna O-2 Skymaster "Coveys",one Lockheed C-130 Hercules "Blindbat",and three McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs based at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thail;and were shot down over Laos (May 1968)--the enemy used this time to set-up many antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites along the Ho Chi Minh Trail routes through southern Laos.

 

Following the second combat evaluation,all major aircraft systems and components were critiqued based on combat performance,ease of maintenance and reliabilty.The illuminator system was broken throughout the test period and was eventually removed from the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules.Problems with the system included lack of spare parts,poor repair manuals and contamination of the water cooling system.The LAU-74 semiautomatic flare launcher installed beside the illuminator on the aft ramp worked well throughout the tests.When the fire control computer was "down",the pilot sometimes resorted to Douglas AC-47D Skytrain "Spooky"or "Puff the Magic Dragon"and "Puff" style tactics--drop flares to light the target and manually site the gun and "walk" the tracer path to the target.The fire control radar (DPN-34) was broken much of the time and required extensive maintenance between flights.THe evaluation team recommended an entire new system be used on all further Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunship conversions.The infrared tracking system was unable,but required a very exerienced operator to continuously track a ground traget with the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules in attack mode (30 degree left bank).The guns all performed well and only minor jamming problems (fixable in flight by the gunners) were reported.The fire control system performed well in direct fire operation (no offset computations)but was prone to problems otherwise.The fire control computer was subject to in-flight failure but worked well when it was functional.The Night Observation Device worked well and was among the most relible pices of equipment on the Gunship II prototype.The navigation equipment worked well and most problms were associted with the Lockheed AC-130A Hercules attack tactics.For example,the search radar had a limited range of 30 miles and tended to have roll stabilzation problems during sustaind banked flight.

 

The typicle Lockeed AC-130 Hercules attacked profile was flown at 5,000 feet above ground leavel (AGL) fro armed reconnaissance missions and interdiction missions.If moderate or heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) with from 6,500 feet or 8,000 feet above ground level (AGL) (in most cases,the Gunship II program would depart areas with heavy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) without attacking).for close air support of Troops In Contact (TIC) the aircraft Lockheed AC-130 Hercules would fly as low as 3,500 feet above ground level to improve gun accuracy.The standard speed was 145 knots.The aircraft Lockeed AC-130 Hercules while in a 30 degree left bank and guns were depressed 20 degrees (down.The combined with an approximate 10 degreee ballistic arc caused the rounds to impact the target area at approximatley 60 degrees (fromm horizontal).This high angle of incidence produced good results even when penetrating the jungle canopy.The 20 milimeter "Vulcan" cannon were primary weapon used and a 2-second burst (75-100 rounds) from a single 20 milimter cannon was usually sufficient to destroy an enemy truck.When firing on a group of vehicles located close to one another,two 20 milimeter cannons were fired simultaneously.The only time all eight guns ( four 20 milimeter cannons and four 7.62 milimeter miniguns) were fired together was when attacking an enemy antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site.When the Gunship II program encounted an antiaircraft artillery (AAA) site didn't attack it (this was usually the case),a flare,timed to ignite when it hit the ground,was sometimes dropped on the site to mark it (and be avoided by the Lockheed AC-130 Hercules Gunship and any forward air controller (FAC) aircraft in the area).

 

The final recommendation of evaluation team included the need for an upgrade fire control system which could minmize the time over target,reliably maintain lock,and store multiple target locations.The need for larger caliber guns to deal with antiaircraft artillery (AAA) sites and armored vehicles was also included in the report.The evalutin team suggested a 25 milimeter cannon;however follow-on Lockheed AC-130 Hercules gunships included 40 milimeter cannons and some were equipped with a 105 milimeter howitzer!

 

 

Douglas C-39

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The Douglas C-39 was basically the end result of development process that begin with the Douglas XC-32 in 1935.The Douglas XC-32 was a military version of the Douglas DC-2 civilian airliner.The Douglas XC-32 led to an order for 18 similar aircraft with the Douglas C-33 designation.The first Douglas C-33 built was held back at the Douglas factory and modifid with a Douglas DC-3 tail assembly and designated Douglas C-38.The Douglas C-38 led to an order for similar production versions which were designated Douglas C-39 by the U.S.Army Air Corps.

 

The Douglas C-39 was a mixture of Douglas DC-2,and Douglas DC-3 and military specific parts and assemblies.The plane used a bassic Douglas DC-2 forward fuselarge and center fuselage section mated to a Douglas DC-3 style aft fuselage and tail.The wing consisted of a Douglas DC-3 center section and Douglas DC-2 outboard wings.The landing gear was based on the design developed for the Douglas B-18 Bolo bomber.Because the Douglas C-39 was essentially a hybird of Douglas DC-2 and Douglas DC-3 assemblies,it was unfficially known as the Douglas DC-2 1/2.

 

The first Douglas C-39 was delivered in December 1938 and the remaining planes were received in 1939.

 

Interior of the C-39

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The Douglas C-39 interior was specifically designed for carrying cargo but could also be configured with 12 passenger seats (six rows of two).The floor of the cabin had numerous tie down points for securing cargo-- primarily with ropes.At maximum loading,thr plane could carry nearly two tons of cargo.

 

The Douglas C-39 carried a crew of three-- the pilot,copilot,and radio operator.Previous versions of the plae (Douglas,C-32,Douglas C-33,and Douglas C-38) had just a pilot and copilot.The radio operator's station was at the rear of the cabin opposite the cargo loading door.In cases where the plane was carrying a maximum load,the aisle way to the cockpit could potentially be blocked with cargo so the radio operator could act as a load master to make sure the cargo did not shift in flight and open the cargo doors after landing and begin the unloading process while flight crew finshed its post flight check and in the cockpit.

 

C-39 in Operational Service

--------------------------------------The U.S. Army Air Corps received the last of the 35 Douglas C-39s ordered in mid-1939.These planes,combined with the Doglas C-33 already in service,comprised the bulk of the U.S.Army Air Corps cargo transport fleet until late 1940.The Douglas C-39s were assigned to several units within the United States.

 

Until the early 1940s,it was common pratice to assign a few cargo plane to Army air fields with large pursuit unit or bomber unit.When it became apparent that the U.S.Army Air Corps would need thousnds of transport planes to move men and material during the anticpated war,several transport groups were formed.On such unit designated the 10th Air Transport Group (later redesignated Air Depot Group),was formed at the Fairfield Air Depot at Patterson Field in Ohio.On of the missions of this group was to conduct sceduled delivery service between several Army depot air fiels in the United States.The Douglas C-39 was capable of being converted to carry litter patients and sometimes used as a hospital ship during exercises and occasionally for actual medical evacations.

 

Several Douglas C-39s (and a few Douglas C-33s) were assigned to Clark Air Field ,Philippines in the early 1940s.When it became apparent that the Japanes attack was imminent,the Philippines-based Douglas C-39s were used to evacuate personnel to Australia.These planes continued to fly cargo transport missions until late in the war--some in Australia and at least one in India.

 

The Douglas C-39 transport,foreruner of the famous Douglas C-47 Skytrain,was composite of Douglas military and civilian aircraft design.Douglas built 35 Douglas C-39As and delivered them to the U.S.Army Air Corps in 1939.These aircraft were called upon to perform many rigorous transport dutys early in World War II.Including the evacation of personnel from the Philippines to Australia in December 1941.Also,it was a Douglas C-39A that blazed the trail from Maine to Garder,Newfoundland,Canada,in JKanuary 1942,the first leg of the aerial lifeline to Great Britain (UK).

 

The Douglas C-39s remained in service until 1944 when serveral planes were declared surplus and sold to other governments.

 

During its service life,it was based at Wright -Patterson Air Force Base,Ohio,between 1939 and 1942.

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