I will also be adding this to the close air support GB starting in January (that is when I will officially start the build in both GB's). With that said I can at least begin the research and review. This is something rather rare for me, aircraft and 1/72 scale. I have had this kit for a couple decades and thought it was a perfect time for its build.
HISTORY: FAIRCHILD AC-119: (From Wikipedia)
The Fairchild AC-119G Shadow and AC-119K Stinger were twin-engine piston-powered gunships developed by the United States during the Vietnam War. They replaced the Douglas AC-47 Spooky and operated alongside the early versions of the AC-130 Spectre gunship. In February 1968, under the USAF program Project Gunship III, 26 C-119Gs were converted to AC-119G standard, initially taking on the name "Creep", but later assigned the callsign "Shadow".
In addition, Fairchild-Hiller, which was contracted for all the conversions, converted another 26 C-119Gs into AC-119Ks, primarily for the "truck hunter" role over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. These aircraft were called "Stingers" primarily in reference to the two M61 Vulcan 20-mm cannons they carried in addition to the AC-119G's four GAU-2/A miniguns. The AC-119K could be visually distinguished by the addition of two General Electric J85 turbojet engines in underwing pods.
Project Gunship III, being a follow-on to the success of the AC-130 series, meant that the AC-119 was a more advanced aircraft in both its iterations than the AC-47. Even the TIC AC-119G featured some of the most up-to-date electronic countermeasures and radar equipment, as well as more basic technology, including an AVQ-8 xenon light, a night observation sight, and an LAU-74/A flare launcher. The AC-119K, designed to hit trucks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, was even more advanced. Included in the conversion was the AN/APN-147 Doppler navigation radar, AN/AAD-4 forward looking infrared, AN/APQ-133 side-looking beacon tracking radar and AN/APQ-136 search radar.
Actual aircraft photos:
General Characteristics:
Crew: 6 (day), 8 (night)
Length: 86 ft 5.75 in (26.3589 m)
Wingspan: 109 ft 3.25 in (33.3058 m)
Height: 26 ft 7.75 in (8.1217 m)
Wing area: 1,400 sq ft (130 m2)
Airfoil: root: NACA 2418; tip: NACA 4409[4]
Empty weight: 40,125 lb (18,200 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 62,000 lb (28,123 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-3350-85 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) each for take-off
Propellers: 4-bladed constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers
Performance:
Maximum speed: 180 kn (210 mph, 330 km/h)
Cruise speed: 130 kn (150 mph, 240 km/h)
Range: 1,680 nmi (1,930 mi, 3,110 km)
Service ceiling: 23,300 ft (7,100 m)
Armament:
4× GAU-2/A 7.62 mm (0.30 in) miniguns, 1,500 rounds/gun
2× M61 Vulcan 20 mm (0.787 in) 6-barreled Gatling cannon (AC-119K variant only)
60× Mk 24 flares in a LAU-74/A flare launcher
SCALE MODEL:
This kit was originally produced in 1985 as a 1/72 transport version by Italeri. To extend the life of the product, the kit was reboxed with some added parts to make the gunship variant and sold in 1987. Later in the models life it was repackaged under the Testers brand.
Molded in black styrene, this kit is presented on five parts trees plus a single tree of clear parts. At its time of molding it was considered a highly detailed model featuring fine raised surface detailing. It also has the regular ejection pin marks throughout the kit that was found during that era. While some parts feature crisp separations and angles, other parts show flash, dimples, and pour over from the mold. All of the wing and tail control surfaces are molded with the main assemblies in the neutral (straight position). The main parts have male and female locator pins to ensure proper alignment. The majority of the details are found in the cockpit and internal fuselage (gun) area. Unfortunately, if creating the aircraft in flight, most of that detail will not be seen once the airframe is closed up. Of course if it is posed on the ground some detail cound be visible as the rear clamshell doors can be positioned in the open or closed position. Detail on the two Wright R-3350-85 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines is very minimal and includes a half molded image of the rear cylinder bank on the bulkhead a prop shaft and the front bank of the pistons showing minimal shape or detail.
Real R-3350-85:
The added parts of the "Stinger" gunship conversion include the Forward Look Infra-red sensor (lower left front of the fuselage), An/APQ-133 Beacon Tracking Radar (left rear of fuselage), smoke evacuation scoops in the close position (just behind the fuselage left forward door), the Night Observation Sight (NOS) (in the front door), the Illumanator (left rear clamshell), the Flare Launcher (right clamshell), 2- 20mm guns, and 4- 7.62mm rotary machine guns. What it is missing to make the cargo bay complete would be the 7.62 and 20mm ammunition storage bins, auxiliary power unit, ammo cans for each gun, sitting area, etc.
Kit instructions are typical for the scale and period. They are shown in the exploded view with an arrow showing the assembly point. Unlike some models of the period, the kit does not have any detailed written instructions but it does call out the part and the suggested paint code with a model master paint ledger on the 1st page.
Decals in the kit are for two birds:
AC-119K, 53-3154, 18 SOS, Phan Rang AB, 1968, 'Pea-Nut Special'
AC-119K, 52-9982, 18 SOS, Nha Trang AB, 1968, 'The Super Sow'
Next update will begin the build, till then please stay safe and healthy!
Ben