Gunships - "On 15 December 1964
an entirely new weapons system was introduced into combat in Vietnam.
The first AC-47 gunship took to the air from U-Tapao RTAFB carrying
an armament of three 7.62mm General Electric SUU-11A miniguns, each
capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute. The 'Spooky' was an instant
success in breaking up enemy attacks on hamlets and other defensive
positions, and within a year substantial numbers of rehabilitated 'Gooney
Birds' were in action throughout the combat area."
