Zotz Decals

1/48 AC-47D Spooky Gunships decal sheet

Gunships in Vietnam and Central America 

product # ZTZ48-030

Review by Steve Bamford on Aug 25 2008

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This new decal sheet from Zotz Decals includes markings for 6 different AC-47D Spooky Gunships in Vietnam and Central America, some with nose art.  

The first aircraft is a AC-47D "Casper" Serial #43-49211 stationed at Danang AB, RNV with the 4th SOS in 1969.  Reference photos of the tail are unavailable, so the code letters could be "EL" or "EN"....both are included.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is a 3 color Green/Brown/Green camo on the topside with black on the underside.  On the nose is noseart of the cartoon character "Casper" the friendly ghost with angry eyes holding a red lightning bolt.

The second aircraft is a AC-47D "Puff the Magic Dragon" Serial #43-48579, one of the original FC-47D operatedby the 1st ACS.  Armed with 3 x 7.62mm Miniguns, 2 on modified rear window openings with a third in the open cargo door.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is white on top with Gull Gray/Natural Metal/Silver Dope on the sides and underside of the aircraft.  On the nose is noseart of the character "Puff the Magic Dragon" made famous in the childrens song called "Puff the Magic Dragon".  The noseart features a green dragon breathing fire with the word "PUFF" above in red lettering.

The third aircraft is a AC-47D "GIT-EM BULLET" Serial #43-48491 stationed at Bien Hoa AB in 1965.  This aircraft was armed with ten 0.3 machine guns.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall Gull Gray.  On the nose is noseart of the cartoon artwork of a hunter with a hunting rifle and the text "GIT-EM BULLET".

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

The fourth aircraft is a AC-47D "Spooky 71", Serial #43-49770, Medal of Honor Mission on Feb 24 1969 with the 3rd SOS out of Bien Hoa AB flying over Long Binh Army Post.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is a 3 color Green/Brown/Green camo with black on the underside.  On the nose is noseart of the cartoon character "SPOOKY",  a ghost character with red eyes and holding a red lightning bolt.

The fifth aircraft is a AC-47D "OS" Spooky Serial #43-49010 stationed at Udorn AB, 432nd TRW, Flying base defense, Lima Site support and Trial Interdiction missions.    This Spooky has a scoreboard painted on the side of 100 troops KIA, five AAA guns destroyed and 3 trucks destroyed.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is a 3 color Green/Brown/Green with black on the underside.  On the nose is noseart of the cartoon character "SPOOKY",  a ghost character with red eyes and holding a red lightning bolt.

The sixth aircraft is a AC-47D "FAES" (Fuerza Aerea Ejercito El Salvador), used by El Salvador during 100 hours Honduran War.  These AC-47's proved to be the most effective aircraft in service with the FAES and later FAS, providing heavy fire support by day and night.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall faded Light Compass Gray.

The instructions are clear and include multiple views of each aircraft as well as painting instruction s and help with other details such as extra antennas etc.  The decals are beautifully printed on 2 decal sheets and include national insignia and stencils.

Zotz Decals is famous for providing a variety of markings for a unique selection of aircraft past and present often with noseart or historical significance and this decal sheet if no exception.  This sheet follows that Zotz tradition. 

Steve

I would like to thank Zotz Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford