During the Vietnam War, U.S. soldiers gave new meaning to the 1960s folk song “Puff, the Magic Dragon” by using it as a nickname for the Douglas AC-47 “Spooky,” the first fixed-wing gunship used in the conflict.
The AC-47 started out as a cargo plane but was converted into a heavily armed flying weapons platform. It had three 7.62mm Gatling guns mounted along its fuselage, each capable of firing thousands of rounds per minute, quickly making it one of the most feared aircraft in the war.
At night, its firepower created an eerie and dramatic scene: streams of red tracer rounds lighting up the darkness, looking like a dragon breathing fire. That striking image earned the plane its famous nickname, “Puff, the Magic Dragon.”
The AC-47’s ability to defend remote outposts and provide precise close-air support changed how airpower was used in Vietnam. Its success also led to later gunships like the AC-119 and the iconic AC-130. Today, the influence of “Puff” can still be seen in modern gunship design and tactics.
Deployment of Douglas C-47 Skytrains to Vietnam
The predecessor to the AC-47 Spooky was the two-engined Douglas C-47 Skytrain, which was flown extensively by the Allies during the Second World War. The C-47 was brought to Vietnam in November 1961, but was mainly flown as a transport and cargo gunship by the Americans.
Many C-47s were outfitted as “flare ships” and designated FC-47s (“F” for flare, in this case). They’d drop parachute flares over enemy positions during night attacks, and, by November 1963, had deployed more than 7,000.
Development of the Douglas AC-47 Spooky
By 1963, the Viet Cong’s nighttime guerrilla tactics highlighted the need for the U.S. military to improve its air strategy for operations under low-light conditions. After careful consideration, the U.S. Air Force moved forward with the creation of the modern fixed-wing gunship.
This innovative concept involved adapting a fixed-wing aircraft to carry heavy armaments mounted on the sides for side-firing capability. While the idea of side-firing gunships had been explored before World War II, it wasn’t until 1963 that the concept became a reality.
The C-47 Skytrain was chosen as the test aircraft for the first fixed-wing gunship, as it fulfilled all the all the necessary criteria. The success of the design relied on the aircraft’s ability to focus concentrated fire on enemy targets while maintaining enough power and space to carry significant weaponry. As a cargo plane, the C-47 could transport large amounts of munitions, and its propeller-driven design allowed for the maneuverability needed for precise fire support in combat situations.
‘Spooky’ experiments
By mid-December 1964, modifications to the C-47 Skytrain were completed. Initially, this new type of aircraft was designated the FC-47, for “fighter/cargo.” However, fighter pilots were upset with the “fighter” categorization; they refused to believe that a slow cargo aircraft could be a fighter. To appease them, the new aircraft was designated AC-47, meaning “attack/cargo.”
Testing of the AC-47 began in Vietnam in late 1964. On December 14, it flew its first daytime combat mission, firing on enemy boats, trails and staging areas. The aircraft’s first night mission occurred on December 23, 1964. During the attack, the AC-47 fired over 4,500 rounds of ammunition and dropped a total of 17 flares. Its efforts successfully halted the Viet Cong assault.
The AC-47 continued to be successfully tested throughout early 1965. In fact, these trials were so successful that an AC-47 was sent to the United States to provide crew training. That July, the US Air Force ordered officers with Training, Advising and Counseling (TAC) to establish an AC-47 squadron. In August, the 4th Air Commando Squadron was created. It operated five aircraft upon its inception, with 26 equipped by the end of the year.
Weaponizing the Douglas AC-47 Spooky
The C-47 Skytrain’s appearance didn’t change when it was modified into an attack aircraft. Inside, three M134 Miniguns were installed to fire through two rear window openings and the side cargo door, all positioned on the aircraft’s left side, where the pilot sits.
Mounting the weapons on the left side was crucial for providing close-air support to ground troops. The Miniguns had a blazing-fast rate-of-fire of 6,000 RPM, enough to cover an entire football field in just one minute. A MK.20 Mod.4 gunsight was also added to the left cockpit window.
Both the pilot and the gunners could operate the Miniguns, but the pilot usually fired them since the controls were built into the yoke. The gunners’ main role on the AC-47 was to monitor the guns and perform any necessary maintenance.
From ‘Spooky’ to ‘Puff’
The AC-47 Spooky quickly earned its legendary battlefield nickname, “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Ground troops gave it this name after witnessing its unforgettable nighttime displays—red tracer rounds streaking through the dark sky and the deep, thunderous roar of its M134 Miniguns, which many compared to a fire-breathing dragon overhead. The nickname became so widespread that countless soldiers knew the plane only as “Puff,” while its official designation faded from memory.
As the need for dependable close-air support grew, the 4th Air Commando Squadron deployed AC-47s to major bases across South Vietnam, including Nha Trang, Đà Nẵng, Pleiku, Biên Hòa, and Binh Thuy. In 1966 alone, the unit flew 277 combat missions, firing more than 137,000 rounds and dropping over 2,500 illumination flares to expose enemy positions and protect threatened outposts.
Despite the intense pace and dangers of these early gunship operations, the AC-47 proved remarkably resilient—only two aircraft were lost to enemy fire. Over nearly 4,000 sorties in South Vietnam and Laos, the Spooky was credited with eliminating more than 5,300 enemy fighters. Its exceptional performance marked a major advancement in close-air support and established the AC-47 as the direct precursor to the powerful AC-119 and AC-130 gunships that would later define the role.
Replaced by newer, more modern gunships
By 1969, the AC-47 Spooky was starting to show serious wear and tear. Constant repairs and maintenance were becoming impractical, especially as newer, more advanced gunships like the AC-130 and Fairchild AC-119s began arriving in Vietnam.
Gradually, Puff, the Magic Dragon was phased out of active service, with the final American AC-47 combat mission taking place on December 1, 1969. Of the 53 AC-47s delivered to Vietnam, about 41 of them actually saw combat during the war.
The AC-47 was eventually replaced by the Lockheed AC-130A Spectre, followed by the AC-119G Shadow, AC-119K Stinger, and finally the AC-130E Pave Spectre. While these later gunships were more advanced, their success owed much to the path paved by Puff, the Magic Dragon.
Other nations have equipped the Douglas AC-47 Spooky
While the US Air Force retired the AC-47 Spooky from active duty, other air forces worldwide have – and still – equip the aircraft. In December 1984 and January ’85, the United States supplied two to El Salvador and trained crews on how to operate them. As well, Thailand, Cambodia, South Africa and Uruguay were among the countries to once fly the gunship.
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Currently, the Columbian Air Force is the only one to still fly the AC-47, a variant known as the Basler BT-67. The 214th Tactical Air Support Squadron has about six in its inventory.