Caracal Models CD 48083: AC-47 'Spooky'

Units: See review

Price

$13.99

Reviewer:

Scott Van Aken

This is the first sheet I've seen on this aircraft that concentrates solely on those that were in operation during the Vietnam War. Since this is 1/48 scale, your option is the kit produced by Monogram that also comes in Revell boxes, and one that is not all that difficult to locate. Trumpeter may have done one as well, but I've not seen it. There are seven markings options that cover the use of the type by the US up until 1968 when many extant planes were turned over to local allies. If you are wondering about the 1971 option, foreign crews trained in the US so some had to be kept on hand for the Combat Crew Training Squadron.

The first two are FC-47s, as the type was first listed. The second plane has the interim armament of 10 .30 caliber guns instead of the miniguns. The first one has the nose artwork taken from period photographs so you know it is accurate. The rest are in the SEA camouflage scheme, many of them with black undersides. The first option has sections painted in what is listed as gull grey and the second is in overall gull grey. Both are probably supposed to be light gull grey as the dark is an interior color. I'm of the opinion that these were really in ADC grey as the gull grey colors are Navy and probably not one that USAF overhaul facilities would have on hand, but the choice is yours.

Here is what's on the sheet:

FC-47D 43-48579 "Puff (The Magic Dragon)", 1st ACS, 1964

FC-47D 43-48491 "Get-Em Bullitt", 1st ACS, 1965

AC-47D 43-49274 , 4th ACS, Bien Hoa AB, 1966

AC-47D 43-49010 , 4th SOS (432 TRW), Udorn AB, 1967

AC-47D 44-76722 , 4th ACS, Pleiku AB, 1967

AC-47D 44-76722 , 3rd SOS, 1968

AC-47D 43-48263 , Royal Laotian Air Force, 1969

AC-47D 43-48916 , 4412 CCTS, 1971

The decals themselves are printed by Microscale and you are provided with striping where it is needed. Note that I've darkened the sheet somewhat to allow the white bits to be more easily seen.  To see all the markings options, visit the link below.

 May 2016

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