The AC-130 Gunship is one of the most dominant and dangerous close air support systems in the world today. This footage from Vietnam shows it's predecessor, the AC-47D, earning a place in the skies above American ground troops forever.

Fun fact, the AC-47D was made from a modified C-47 transport plane. Someone had the bright idea of filling the back of it with ammunition and loading a bunch of mini-guns on the side of it and setting it loose in Vietnam. This is probably why it was originally and affectionately named "Puff the Magic Dragon," because you know the guys who set this up got super high on some of that jungle weed before they started tearing everything out of the back of the C-47 to make a flying death machine.

About the Author

Josh Brooks

Josh is an American writer and former USMC machine gunner with eight years of experience in ground combat arms throughout the GWOT. He is currently based in Texas and specializes in combat footage analysis and digital marketing.Follow Josh at OfficialJoshBrooks.com