As the temperatures rise along the Gulf Coast, so too does the pace of work on the CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s AC-47 “Spooky” gunship. According to the Wing’s latest newsletter, restoration efforts have been progressing steadily since the aircraft received fresh markings and upgrades earlier this year, as we previously reported here.
The team is currently focused on completing the annual inspection and making further external modifications to bring Spooky closer to her authentic AC-47 appearance. Volunteer support remains strong, with members traveling from other CAF units—including two experts from Denver—to lend their skills. Despite the occasional curveball from Murphy’s Law, the project is moving forward with determination.
Much of the current attention is on preparations for the long-anticipated paint phase. The Paint Project Team is deep into planning every detail, from selecting the correct color and quantity of paint to determining which components and spares need attention. While the painting itself is estimated to take two weeks, it follows months of careful prep work. Interior restoration is also underway. While much of it will span upcoming winter maintenance cycles, important work is already in progress. The team is removing obsolete wiring from past missions, rerouting cables for the cockpit escape hatch, and beginning the process of stripping old padding and refinishing the interior metal.
To make the aircraft airshow-ready, paratrooper jump seats are being stripped and installed, and perhaps most excitingly, mounts for the replica miniguns are in the works. Two of the three replica guns have already been delivered and are being stored at the Wing’s Dallas hangar. The team is aiming to have these installed and looking appropriately menacing in time for their first airshow appearance at the end of August. We’ll continue to follow Spooky’s transformation as this iconic Vietnam-era gunship takes shape once more. To follow and support this restoration, visit www.gulfcoastwing.org/
