1/400 USAF AC-130H Gunship "Spectre" 16th SOS 8th TFW (Military)

- 1/400 true-to-scale precision model
- Displayable die-cast aircraft with high collectable value
- Aesthetically pleasing color finish with delicate imprinted markings

The Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules is an extremely famous military transport aircraft, and it serves in air forces all around the world. One of the many variants it spawned is the AC-130 gunship, which first saw combat during the Vietnam War. The C-130 platform might seem an unlikely candidate to act as a gunship, but in fact the sturdy craft is able to carry a multitude of weaponry suitable for the ground attack role. Weapons are generally mounted on the port side of the aircraft, and as the aircraft performs a pylon turn, they can concentrate fire on the enemy. Today the US Air Force (USAF) uses the AC-130H Spectre and AC-130U Spooky, and they constitute part of Special Operations Command (SOCOM). AC-130H aircraft are based at Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) in New Mexico. Typical armament for an Early-Production AC-130H Spectre was two 20mm M61 Vulcan cannons, one L/60 Bofors 40mm autocannon and one 105mm M102 cannon. Today the USAF operates eight AC-130H Spectres, although, after 2000 the two 20mm M61 cannons were removed. The AC-130 has taken part in combat operations in diverse locations such as Grenada, Honduras, Panama, Iraq, Somalia, Haiti, Kosovo and Afghanistan.

Dragon Warbirds is offering a fine miniature version of the AC-130H Spectre gunship. Built precisely to 1/400 scale, the die-cast model employs some brand new toolings. This is necessary because the fuselage is different to that of a standard C-130H owing to the special apertures for the Spectre’s weaponry. The model bears the markings of an aircraft from the 16th Special Operations Squadron (16 SOS) based at Cannon AFB. Dragon Warbirds opens up a whole new specter for collectors with this model of an American special forces aircraft!