In the first week of March, 1972, Spectre AC-130 Gunship # 509 took
multiple 57mm hits, One hitting the underside of the plane, going up
through the floor of the Booth and hitting the seat of Gary Chandler.
After hitting the bottom of his seat, shrapnel was sent though out the
booth injuring it's occupants and damaging the equipment. Still # 509
manages to make it's way home to Ubon were it was met by
Maintenance and Medics.
The Photos below are of the Spectre Maintenance department in Ubon
Thailand, as they survey the battle damage to the wounded gunship.
The first set of Photos show the rather large whole in the underside of the plane. Notice the heavy armor has
been peeled back. The other photo shows the booth in the interior of the aircraft. After sustaining such a
forceful blow, the booth has been bent.
|
Several photos of the inside
of the booth from different
angles. Looks like most of the
equipment has been
damaged, as well as the floor.
The photo to the left is of the
bottom of Gary's seat.
|
Flight Line Supervisors,
surveying the damage.
|
Some of the ribs had been blown in half, close to the landing gear. So there were some questions as to
whether #509 would be able to land in the states for repairs. But it was decided that Spectre Gunship
#509 be brought back to the states. First the plane had to be stripped of all weapons etc. and then
"patched up" for the return.
Thanks to Tom Combs and John Schrawder for all their help
Metzger Memorials
Photos courtesy of
John Schrawder
Photos courtesy of
Tom Combs
