Below is a Gallery of Spectre Gunship Nose Art Photos

Send me your Photo's

If you have any C-130 Nose Art that you would like to contribute to this site, please email me the digital or scanned images or mail photographs to me and I will scan them and send them back to you. Please include a brief background and description about the pictures you send.  I will give you full credit for all images added to this site.

Contribute Photographs Here

NOTHING WILL EVER REPLACE THE "MIGHTY HERK!"

PICTURES FROM SPECTRE UNITS

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I would like to thank Shawn D. Robinson for his help in identifying some of the AC-130 Spectre gunship nicknames and photos.

53-3129
Arbitrator also
The First Lady

   I would love to post a detailed photo walkaround of this historic bird on this web site. If you have any, please send them to me.
email here

History: Caught fire on landing from third flight, port wing destroyed; repaired at Marietta. Became JC-130A, 9-57, ARC, Hanson Field, Massachusetts, 10-59. AFMC, 4-60. Majors Field, Texas, 12-61; 6650th SW, 8-62. Became AC-130A, 4413th CCTS; 415 SOTS; 16th SOS (Vietnam and Thailand) up to 11-70. 711th SOS, 1976-81.

"The Arbitrator" was actually an earlier name of "The First Lady".

In the photo of "The Arbitrator" you’ll see my name over the door, Sgt Lawrence. I was the crew chief on that plane from 68-69. We (129) had 125 on-time take offs that year.

When I left Ubon in November 1969 the guy I turned 129 over to appropriately renamed the plane "The First Lady".

P.S. Unless corrected later, I will take credit for starting the nose art on the gunships in Ubon. I think the 16^th had five gunships when I got there in ‘68, none of which had nose art and I had to get permission to do it. I hired some local Thai who had some known talent and I had to get permission to get him out on the flight line. I paid him but do not remember how much.

As to 629 I have a photo of that plane which we "sold" to each other to raise money for the families of those killed that night. The photo has no nose art. I don’t recall if it had art by the time it was shot down.  I was on the flight line the night she came back and crashed.
Contributed by Randall G. Lawrence

The First Production 53-3129 (C/N 3001), The First Lady, Yes it was  the first C-130A off the production line. First production C-130 flight was 7 April 1955.  It was retired as an  AC-130A aircraft.  It was converted to 4 bladed props in the late 1980's.  It retired as a AFRES Gunship in late 1995. You can see it on display in the final AFRES configuration (grey paint, black markings, 4-blade Hamilton Standard props) at the USAF Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Fla.

54-1623
Ghost Rider

No Photo Available
AC-130A, 54-1623, (C/N 3010)
History: Became AC-130A. 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1971-72 (Ghost Rider); 711th SOS, 1978-80.
On Display at Dobbins AFB, GA

54-1625
War Lord

Photo by Steve Whitton

AC-130A, 54-1625, (C/N 3012)
History: Became JC-130A; AFSC. Became AC-130A; 4413th CCTS, 4410th CCTW, Lockbourne AFB, Ohio, 1968-69; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1969 (War Lord). Shot down over Ho Chi Minh Trail, 21 April 1970.

KIA was 10 crewman
Lt. Col. C. Rowdey
Lt. Col. C. Davis
Maj. D. Fischer
Maj. W. Brooks
Lt. J. Tower
MSgt. R. Ireland
Sgt. T. Adachi
Sgt. D. Harris
Sgt. R. Hensley
A1C. D. Lint

54-1626
Vulcan Express also
Super Spooky

Photos by James B Jarrell, CMSgt Ret.

AC-130A, 54-1626, (C/N 3013)
History: AFTC, El Centro, 1956, Became prototype AC-130A, 1967. 4950th TW, 1966-67; 16th SOS, 14th SOW, Nha Trang AB, Vietnam, 1968; crashed and damaged, Vietnam, 3-72, but repaired. 711th SOS, 1979. Retired and on Display at the US Air Force Museum
Name and Nose Art removed, Still has the Black Crow and the other "humps and bumps," otherwise it was difficult to tell it was an AC-130.

54-1627
Gomer Grinder

No Photo Available
AC-130A, 54-1627, (C/N 3014)
History: Became JC-130A, thence AC-130A. 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1969-72 (Gomer Grinder); 415th SOTS, 1st SOW, Hurlburt Field, Florida, 1973-74; 711th SOS, 1975; MASDC, 1976-81.
Retired to AMARC

54-1628
The Exterminator

No Photo Available
AC-130A, 54-1628, (C/N 3015)
History: Became JC-130A. 6550th SW, Patrick AFB. Became AC-130A; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1969-73 (The Exterminator); 711th SOS 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida, 1977-80.
Retired to AMARC

54-1629
Name Unknown

No Photo Available
AC-130E, 54-1629, (C/N 3016)
History: Became JC-130A; AFSC; 6550th SW, 1964. Became AC-130A; 16th SOS, 8th TFW; suffered damage from ground fire over Laos and written off after crash landing, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 24 May 1969. 
KIA were: 
SSgt C. F. Taylor
SSgt J. W. Troglen

54-1630
Azreal - Angel of Death
Mores de Callis'


Above May 1969
Contributed by
Carl Abejon



Mikey Photo

AC-130A, 54-1630, (C/N 3017), 
AZREAL - ANGEL OF DEATH
Mores de Callis'
History: Became JC-130A, thence AC-130A; 16th SOS, 8th TFW 1970-71 (Mors de Callis); 415th SOTS, 1st SOW, 1971-76; 711th TAS, 1977-81.
Flew at least three missions in Desert Storm, and is currently on display at the USAF Museum, Ohio.

55-0011
Surprise Package
Night Stalker

AC-130A, 55-0011, (C/N 3038)
History: 40th TAS, 1968. Became AC-130A. 4413th CCTS, 4410th CCTW, 1970; 415th SOTS, 1st SOW, 1971; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1972; 711th SOS, 919th SOG, Duke Field, Florida, 1976-81.
Retired to AMARC.

55-0014
Jaws of Death



Michael P Kube-McDowell Photo

AC-130A-LM, 55-0014, (C/N 3041)
History: 815th TCS, Tachikawa AB, Japan, 1967; 40th TAS, 1968, Became AC-130A, 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1973; 711th SOS, 1973-80. Retired to Robins AFB Museum.

Special Walkaround

55-0029
Midnight Express

AC-130A, 55-0029, (C/N 3056)
History: 815th TCS, 1958. Became AC-130A, circa 1970. 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1972-73; 711th SOS, 1977-81.
Flew 20 combat missions and flew until 1994.
Retired to AMARC

55-0040
Orion The Hunter

AC-130A 55-0040, (C/N 3067), 
History: Became Ac-130A, 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1972-73; 711th SOS, 1975-76; MASDC, 1976-81.
Currently retired to AMARC (Fuselage only)

55-0043
Name Unknown

AC-130A, 55-0043, (C/N 3070)
History: 463d TCW, March 1958, Became AC-130A, circa 1970. Shot Down by SA-7 SAM over the Shan Valley, SW Hue,  18 June 1972.

KIA was 12 crew members:
Maj. C. R. Ayers
Maj. R. H. Harrison
Capt. M. G. Danielson
Capt. P. F. Gilbert
Capt. R. A. Wilson
MSgt. J. E. Mercer
SSgt. R. M. Cole
SSgt. D. H. Klinke
SSgt. L. J. Newman
SSgt. R. E. Nyhoff
Sgt. S. L. Lehrke
Sgt. L. A. Hunt

55-0044
Prometheus

No Photo Available

AC-130A, 55-0044, (C/N 3071) 
History: Became AC-130A, circa 1970. 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand (Prometheus); damaged by ground fire shot of #3 and #4 propellers December 1971 and was Shot Down by SA-2 SAM over Tchepone Laos, 28 March 1972

KIA was 14 crew members
- Maj. H. P. Brauner
- Maj. L. B. Ramsower
- Maj. H. D. Stephenson
- Capt. R. Castillo
- Capt. R. C. Halpin
- Capt. C. D. Miller
- Capt. C. T. Wanzell
- Capt. R. B. Young
- SSgt. J. K. Cantford
- SSgt. M. L. Paulson
- SSgt. R. J. Pearce
- SSgt. R. D. Smith
- Sgt. W. A. Todd
- A1C. R. R. Simmons

55-0046
Proud Warrior

AC-130A, 55-0046, (C/N 3073) 
History: Delivered on loan to US Marine Corps, 1957, for air refuelling trials.  Became AC-130A, circa 1969. 21st TAS Naha AB, Okinawa, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1972-74; 711th SOS, 1976-81.
Retired to AMARC

56-0469
Grim Reaper

AC-130A, 56-0469, (C/N 3077), 
History: Became AC-130A; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 1970-73; 711th SOS, 1976-81.
Retired to AMARC, scrapped, cockpit removed to use on AC-130U simulator at Sheppard AFB, TX

56-0471
Blind Bat

C-130A, 56-0471, (C/N 3079)
History: 463d TCW; 35th TAS, Naha AB, Okinawa, circa 1969; 139th TAS, New York ANG, 1972-75; 105th TAS, Tennessee ANG, 1976; 142d TAS, Deleware ANG, 1976-77; 105th TAS, 1977-81.
Test aircraft for the Black Crow truck ignition locating system. Never flew as a Spectre gunship.
Retired to AMARC at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 1987 when the unit converted to H'models.

56-0490
Thor or 
Super Chicken

AC-130A, 56-0490, (C/N 3098)
History: 817th TCS, 1958-59 Became JC-130A, Thence AC-130A, 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon TRAFB, Thailand (Thor), 1972 shot down over An Loc, Laos, 21 December 1972. The Super Chicken names were painted on the sides of the cargo ramp.

KIA was 14 crew members
- Maj. P. O. Meder
- Maj. R. A. Walsh
- Capt. J. R. Birch
- Capt. D. R. Dickens
- Capt. T. J. Hart
- Capt. S. N. Kroboth
- Capt. H. R. Lagerwall
- Capt. R. L. Liles
- Lt. G. D. Macdonald
- SSgt. R. T. Elliott
- TSgt. J. Q. Winningham
- TSgt. J. P. Fuller
- A1C. C. R. Fenter
- A1C. R. E. Reaid

56-0509
Raids Kill um Dead or
Ultimate End



Photo by Emile Skeete

AC-130A, 56-0509, (C/N 3117), Raids Kill um Dead or Ultimate End.

History: Became AC-13A; 16th SOS. 8th TFW, Ubon RTAFB, Thailand (Raid Kills Um Dead), 1972-74; damaged at An Loc, 23 December 1972, but repaired; 711th TAs/SOS 1977-81.
On Display at Air Commando Airpark, Hurlburt AFB, FL. Configuration in Ubon combat (black paint, red markings, Aeroproduct 3-blade props).

AC-130E/H Gunships

69-6567
Ghostrider



Mike McCarthy photo

AC-130H, 69-6567, (C/N 4341) 
History: 64th TAW, 1969-70. Became AC-130E, 1970; 415th SOTS, 1971-72. Became AC-130H, 1973; 16th SOS, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1974-77; 16th SOS, 1978-81. 

Call Sign Spirit 03, Lost to a SAM near the border town of Khafji 50 miles south of Kuwait City January 31, 1991, Desert Storm.
KIA were: 
- Pilot- Maj Paul Weaver
- Co-pilot- Capt. T.C. Bland
- EW Officer- Capt. Dixon Walters
- Fire Control Officer- Capt. Art Galvan
- Navigator- Capt. William Grimm
- Gunner- SMSgt Jim May
- Sensor Operator- SMSgt Paul Buege
- Gunner- TSgt John Oeischlager
- Gunner- TSgt Bob Hodges
- Flight Engineer- SSgt Damon Kanuha
- Sensor Operator- SSgt John Blessinger
- Gunner- SSgt Tim Harrison
- Illuminator Operator- SSgt Mark Schmauss
- Gunner- Sgt Barry Clark

Webmaster Note: This Gunship nose art page is dedicated to SSgt Mark Schmauss whom I was fortunate to work with at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas 1985  He gave his life for our country, may he rest in peace.

69-6568
Nightstalker


Mike McCarthy photo

Mike McCarthy photo

AC-130H, 69-6568 (C/N 4342) 
History: 64th TAW, 1969-70 Became Ac-130E, 1970; 415th SOTS, 1972. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1974-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84

69-6569
Excalibur
Fatal Attraction


 Jim John Photos

AC-130H 68-6569, (C/N 4343)
History: 64th TAW, 1969-70. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, Ubon TRAFB, Thailand, 1972-73. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1977; 16th SOS, 1977-84.

69-6570
The Hussy
Bad Company


 Jim John Photos

Photo by Koen Leuvering

AC-130H 69-6570, (C/N 4344)
History: 64th TAW, 1969-70. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1972. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1975-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84



Numerous turbine bearing failures as evident with the QEC kill markings.
Photo by Warren Moore
The Sandbox is hell on Turbines.

69-6571
Name Unknown

No Photo Available

AC-130E, 69-6571, (C/N 4345)
History: 64th TAW, 1969-70. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS. 8th TFW, 1971-72; shot Down near An Loc, 30 March 1972.

No list of KIA available

69-6572
Grave Digger




On static display Las Vegas 1988
Photos by Todd Johnson

AC-130H 69-6572 (C/N 4346)
History: 64th TAW, 1970. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1972. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1976-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84.

69-6573
Heavy Metal

No Photo Available

AC-130H 69-6573 (C/N 4347)
History: 64th TAW, 1970. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1972. Became AC-130H, 1973; 16th SOS, 1975; 415th SOTS, 1977; 16th SOS, 1978-84.

69-6574
Iron Maiden



DIRCM (Directional Infrared
Countermeasures) Pods
Jeff Stoermer Photos

AC-130H,  69-6574,  (C/N 4348)
History: 64th TAW, 1970. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1972-73. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1977; 16th SOS, 1978-84.

69-6575
Wicked Wanda

 
AC-130H-LM, 69-6575, (C/N 4349) 
History: 64th TAW, 1968-70. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1973. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1975-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84

Danny Deters Photos

69-6576
Preditor
(was Bad Company, Widow Maker)

No Photo Available

AC-130H, 69-6576, (C/N 4351), 
Pave Spectre I Prototype E conversion.
History: 64th TAW, 1970. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1973. Became AC-130H, 1973; 415th SOTS, 1975-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84.
Converted by Warner-Robbins Air Material Area (WRAMA) and its initial armament was a pair of 7.62mm MXU-470 Miniguns, two 40mm Bofors and a pair of 20mm M-61 cannon. Subsequently they were re-armed with the Pave Aegis with one fewer 40mm Bofers and a huge 105mm howitzer firing obliquely downwards from the port side. 
Lost on March 14, 1994 over the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya, near the town of Malindi, while practice firing the 105mm howitzer saw a premature detonation and the resultant explosion set fire to the port engines, the aircraft crashing into the sea. Aircraft and crew were supporting the ongoing operations in and around Mogadishu, Somalia. Call sign Jockey 14, loss of eight crewmembers.
- Capt. Anthony Stefanik, Fire Control Officer
- Capt. David J. Melhop, Navigator
- Capt. Mark A. Quam, Electronic Warfare Officer
- MSgt Roy Duncan, Loadmaster
- TSgt Robert L. Daniel, Sensor Operator
- SSgt Mark E. Moser, Aerial Gunner
- SSgt Brian P. Barnes, Aerial Gunner
- SSgt William C. Eyler, Sensor Operator

69-6577
Death Angel

No Photo Available

AC-130H, 69-6577, (C/N 4352)
Pave Spectre I Prototype E conversion.
History: 64th TAW, 1970. Became AC-130E, 1970; 16th SOS, 8th TFW, 1973. Became AC-130H, 1973; AFSC, 1974; 4950th TW, 1975-77; 16th SOS, 1978-84.
Converted by Warner-Robbins Air Material Area (WRAMA) and its initial armament was a pair of 7.62mm MXU-470 Miniguns, two 40mm Bofors and a pair of 20mm M-61 cannon. Subsequently they were re-armed with the Pave Aegis with one fewer 40mm Bofers and a huge 105mm howitzer. 

AC-130U Gunships

87-0128
Big Daddy

87-0128, (C/N 5139) Based on C-130H and was converted at Palmdale, CA,  the first production U-model. The photo shows it at Edwards AFB in FSD (Full Scale Development) configuration and flight tested for evaluation by 6510 Test Wing. The large boom has been subsequently removed and the aircraft has been painted to match the fleet. The name of 128 is Big Daddy.
Mike McCarthy Photo

Joined the 4 Special Operations Squadron, 16 Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, followed by 12 more U-Boats listed below.

89-0509
Total Carnage

89-0510
Gunslinger

89-0511
Predator

AC-130U, 89-0511, (C/N 5230),
"The Lost Boys" painted on the side by the crew after returning from the Middle East.
Jeff Stoermer Photo

1st production U-model, delivered to the USAF April 1992.

89-0512
Dead On

89-0513
Killer Instincts

89-0514
Maximum Carnage

90-0163
Bad Omen

90-0164
Bad Intentions

90-0165
Widow Maker, 
was Thumper
and Midnight Medussa

90-0166
Hell Raiser

90-0167
Terminator II
was Azrael



Steve Belanger Photos

92-0253
Eight Ball

AC-130U, 92-0253, (C/N 5279)

Spectre Artists

Daily News Article

Spectre Art Flag

These are the only ones that exist; I airbrushed it in the late 70's.  I flew it in every combat mission since Grenada. A lot of guys who signed the flag went down in Desert Storm and Somolia, they went into retirement in 1995 when I retired, I might put them in the gunship display in Air Force Museum, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Mike McCarthy

Unknown Tail Codes

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