By Kevin Wilkins
The CAF Gulf Coast Wing has spent the past several years restoring its AC-47 “Spooky” gunship to flying condition and eventually returning it to a historically representative Vietnam-era configuration. The project began after the wing acquired the aircraft in early 2024. Although already partially configured as an AC-47 gunship, the aircraft required extensive structural work, mechanical refurbishment, and regulatory compliance before it could return to the air. Early restoration efforts focused on airframe inspections, structural repairs, and addressing long-standing maintenance items.
One of the first major milestones was the refurbishment of the aircraft’s fuel system and fuel cells, along with repairs to structural components, including floor beams and internal supports. At the same time, the team began sourcing and overhauling cockpit components and mechanical systems to bring the aircraft up to Commemorative Air Force operational standards. As work progressed, volunteers and maintenance crews also began preparing the aircraft for its eventual historical configuration. Plans included the installation of replica 7.62 mm miniguns, flare racks, and other equipment to recreate the appearance and layout of the famous Vietnam-era gunship. Another important step came when the aircraft received approval for the CAF’s Approved Aircraft Inspection Program (AAIP), a major regulatory milestone that allows ongoing maintenance oversight under CAF operational standards.
The latest milestone in the restoration came with the aircraft’s repainting and return to Texas. The CAF Gulf Coast Wing reported in their newsletter that numerous volunteers helped prepare the aircraft for paint at Delta Air Lines Technical Operations in Atlanta. Delta’s TechOps personnel assisted the CAF teams by helping inspect sheet metal, remove flight controls, and prepare the aircraft for stripping and repainting. Work began smoothly, and by Thanksgiving, the stripping process was already ahead of schedule. A second restoration team arrived in Atlanta on December 6 to begin reassembly of the aircraft following the paint process. During reassembly, the team encountered a delay when one of the ailerons required additional work to properly rebalance and reinstall. Once that issue was resolved, painting continued, and the Delta paint team completed final touch-ups in preparation for the aircraft’s planned departure on December 12.
However, several unexpected maintenance issues delayed the aircraft’s return. While reinstalling the right elevator, the team discovered a control cable that required replacement. A new cable was ordered and shipped overnight, but severe snowstorms in the Midwest delayed delivery by two days. Even after the cable arrived and was installed, a final round of operational checks revealed that the rudder was out of specification and required further adjustment. Despite these setbacks, the restoration team successfully resolved the issues and completed the work. The AC-47 ultimately departed Atlanta and returned to Texas on December 20, arriving just in time to be delivered to an avionics shop where installation of new radios will begin. With the exterior restoration complete and new avionics installation underway, the next major phase of the project will focus on restoring the interior of the aircraft. The goal is to recreate the distinctive AC-47 gunship configuration, including historically accurate equipment and displays that interpret the aircraft’s role during the Vietnam War. To support this restoration, click HERE.
