US deploys airborne killing machine (large graphic included)

The Times (U.K.) ^ | 10/17/2001 | MICHAEL EVANS

[quietolong]

I had to look up to see if the 25mm gun was an error. But its right. I knew of the 20mm & 30mm so I thought Why make a 25mm when you have a 20 & 30 must have missed the development of the 25 But as I was looking up the info I came across these sights. The last one is an A-10 sight. Go to the files they have some neat pic, sound and video clips. Enjoy

Link to USAF Fact Sheet AC-130H/U Gunship

Link to Lockheed AC-130A "Spectre" Gunship

Link to Roster of the AC-130 Gunships

Link to AC-130 pic

Link to AC-130H Spectre AC-130U Spooky ( great sight )

Link to A-10 WartHog

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Try staring at a panel of unwavering meters for six or eight hours and even you will be amazed at what can be imagined! 660 '70 - '75, CNS STE '81 - '95.

[RJayneJ]

Thanks for the nomination! };^D)

[Jolly Rodgers]

...please don't forget that the Taliban forces are now hiding in their caves, in civilian homes, in hospitals and wherever they know we won't bomb.

It is likely true the the top leadership and a cadre of their personal bodyguards are in safe hiding, but the majority of the Taleban forces have no such luxury. They are under pressure to defend the Taleban government from internal insurrection by the Northern Alliance. That means they have to be on the front lines where we can engage and destroy them.

[Hatteras]

The C-47 (Puff, I believe) was a modified DC-3. There was also the C-119 (twin fuselage).

I'll have to leave it up to experts to clarify the details...

[ImpBill]

I believe you are correct. I don't think Puff had the 105mm Howitzer and in fact had more than one 20mm gatling gun. And if memory serves me correct also had 50 cal. but I could be wrong about that.

[linear]

I'll do a little digging and find out. It seems to me that the first true gunship was the modified B-25 (I think designated as either a B-25A or the A-25) that carried at least 4 .50 Cals. It was used with great effect against Japanese cargo ships in the Pacific. As well as the awesome P-38 Lightning, which took out the Betty carrying Adm. Yammamoto.

[linear]

Here is a link to the venerable Puff - a converted C-47 carrying three 7.62mm miniguns.

http://www.petester.com/html/AC003.html

[veracious]

Practice makes perfect (active links).

Puff via active link

[ericthecurdog]

...can't imagine that Stingers wouldn't degrade with time. Actually I've heard from several sources that the batteries are most likely run down by now.

[linear]

Long live cut-and-paste.