AC-130H vs AC-130U

Let me do some checking for you. My Son is with a Special Ops outfit. If I am not mistaken the AC-130's are H and J models. The U model was converted for Hurricane Chasers, stationed out of Keesler AFB in Mississippi. They have the special "Supershonic Props" installed on them. I will get back with you as soon as I can contact my Son.

The U , or 'U Boat' is an AC130H with a new weapons fit and sensor suite.
I think the 7.62 miniguns have been ditched for one of a larger calibre, 25mm.
I think you will like these photos:
http://members.tripod.com/~a26invader/ac130u.htm

Here's some links that you may find helpful and they, in turn, have links to other good sites as well:

http://www.spectrumwd.com/c130/gunship.htm

http://www.spectre-association.org/

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/ac-130.htm

Just grunge around a bit on some of these and you'll find some really good info and some decent photos, especially on the third site.


Fade to Black...

Oggy got the gist of it. The "U" is the current gunship designation, H or J the standard C-130 cargo hauler, etc.

As far a vietnam era C-130 gunships goes they used the AC-130 A and I'm not sure what model they got up to ( I don't think it changed during that time, but I'm dangerous when I think). I'm almost positive that the H varient of C-130 was not out until well after vietnam.

Eric

The standard USAF trash hauler is the E model ,with H's supplied when the major USAF contract finished.
The AC130A was the last of a long line of gunship try-outs during Vietnam
the others were the AC119G/K and of course the AC47 (Dakota not Chinook)
A turbo dak variant surfaced in the 80's in central america , but was converted in
limited numbers.
I have the Herk Bible by Col Lars Olausson and will check when the H's came on line.
The A's are still in service with AFRES and ANG units and will only be replaced by H's when the 'U Boats' come up to strength.
The J is another matter.
It is not in service as a gunship ,nor is it likely to be unless Lockheed sort out the
vibration problems caused by the engines.
Passengers cannot be seated fwd of the props due to filling loosening vibes on the stretched RAF aircraft .
I do not know how bad the short J is but it cannot be much better.
The H and U are very stable gun platforms , I do not know about the J.

oggy,

The standard model transport Herk in the active duty AF is the E... However the Reserve and Guard units FAR outnumber active units (8 active airlift squadrons, vs 25+ guard/reserve), and are largely equipped with the H model... Something on the order of a 3:1 H-to-E model ratio.

That said, since the weekend warriors do most USAF "Herk Work," the H is the standard model, and the E's at Pope, Dyess, Yokota, Ramstien, and Little Rock are slated to be replaced by J's... Pope should see their first few in the next 2-3 years. Dyess and Yokota not too long after that...

As for gunships... The AC-130A's were all retired from the AFRC (reserve) fleet during 1994-95, being replaced by various other Spec- Op Herk models... The H model gunships (actually re- engined and re- designated E models) still serve along side the newer U- boats with the 16 SOW in Florida...

A buddy of mine works the J model at Keesler, and had mentioned that they were having a similar vibration problem at certain speeds and regimes of flight... Their fix: Avoid those performance parameters when passengers are aboard, and wait for Lockheed to get it ironed out...

Sorry for the long wind, but HTH...

Brian
SJAFB

Italeri makes a 1/48 AC-130U. Kind of pricey. You can get one online for 70-80$. I have no idea the quality of this kit. Anyone out there built one yet? I would like to build one of these myself.

AMT/Eartle built a 1/72 but I don't know if its still available

I have several the 1/48 Testors/Italeri Herky Bird kits, but haven't built one yet. The U Boat Gunship is pricey for what you get, standard interior of the Cargo E's but externally you get the correct armament barrels and sensor mods and the exhaust heat shields that were not included in the earlier Gunship kits. There is absolutely in interior details for the guns. Also the Gunship U Boats use the standard 4 bladed props and not the 6 bladed ones originally proposed.

i have put together one of the 1/48 scale italeri C-130s and it is pretty much a easy model some detail in certain areas but in other none but went together real good only problem i had was broken pieces in the box.box is pretty much to small for all the parts so watch that if u get one.

GLapinsky,

Squadron/Signal Publications has a new Walk Around book out about the C-130 (Walk Around Number 31), and it covers all versions of the C-130 Herky Bird, including the AC-130U. Cost me about $15 just the other day at HobbyTown USA.