This is an ac47, otherwise known as puff the magic dragon after the peter, paul, and mary song of those days. Watch the video for puff the magic dragon from the irish roverss the irish rovers 50 years vol. The douglas ac47 spooky also nicknamed puff, the magic dragon was the first in a series of fixed wing gunships developed by the united states air force during the vietnam war. The evolution of us army tactical doctrine, 19461976. Why the dc3 is such a badass plane popular mechanics.
The following pictures were taken during a ceremony where rowdy received the actual medals that he earned in vietnam. I got these this morning from a collector who normally buys stuff at the flea market and part of the competition but had recently purchased a collection from someone and offered to sell me a few things. The usaf became involved in vietnam in early january, 1953 when it sent teams of mechanics to help the french maintain their c47s, some of which were from us air force reserve stocks. The gunship flew into mcclellan air force base in sacramento. Very nice handembroideredhe in vietnam, uncommon insignia, unusedinquire. Once puff had done his work on an north vietnamese army company and we went out on patrol to count bodies, said another soldier. Jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail. Beginning of a dialog window, including tabbed navigation to register an account or sign in to an existing account. Army vietnam veteran tom zangla would agree with that specifically, but i know he is familiar with the 2% part.
Ac 47 spooky gunship vietnam patch afb dc 3 us air force puff the magic dragon ebay. Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called hanah lee. Infantry, frank mckinnon hq troop, hq troop 19th, huey, huey cobra, jim delp hq troop, loach, phuoc vinh airfield, puff the magic dragon, tigers in vietnam war. Today, i got to see a genuine ac47d gunship, the famous puff the magic dragon of vietnam war vintage. It is more than 64 feet long, with a wing span of more than 95 feet. The us armys tactical thinking was also greatly influenced by the long war in southeast asia. Puff, the magic dragon is simply one of the most beloved songs of all timea classic thats become as much a part of the childhood experience as mother goose and fairy tales. See more ideas about military patch, vietnam, patches. Inside view of a puff the magic dragonac47 with 3 miniguns view of a minigun firing at twilight.
The usaf became involved in vietnam in early january, 1953 when it sent. See more ideas about c, military aircraft and puff the magic dragon. Vietnam veteran w dragon patch show your vietnam veteran pride with this all new vietnam veteran patch. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. High quality puff the magic dragon gifts and merchandise.
The douglas spooky was a prototype for later and gunships as used in vietnam. Need help with couple of patches bought at flea market. See more ideas about puff the magic dragon, vietnam war and vietnam. She would like to try watching this again when shes older, she says. Usaf in vietnam ac47 douglas spooky, c, da nang, b57 8229. Air force douglas ac47d gunship that was known as the dragonship, puff, the magic dragon and spooky. Today, the aircraft is painted as an ac47 gunship from the vietnam era, but never. It would stay overhead until the bases own helicopters were in the air and able to take over. More than 16,000 dc3s and military version c47s were built in 50plus variants. Puff the magic dragon, came across the sea, to write its name in guns of flame in the heart of hostile sea when the grunts are in trouble and charlies all around the thoughts may pry into the sky.
After reading the story, the commanding officer of the wing said, well ill be damned, puff the magic dragon, referencing a childrens song made popular by the folk group peter, paul and mary. She still says its her favorite song in the whole wide world. It is a prefinished, prototype patch for whatever reason remaining unfinished. The song lyrics follows the story of puff, a magical dragon who lives and frolics in the autumn mist in a land called honah lee. The douglas ac47 spooky also nicknamed puff, the magic dragon was the first in a series of fixed wing gunships developed by the united states air force. Fantastic long exposure photo of a c47 in vietnam flying in the puff the magic dragon role in pleiku, vietnam in 1969. Puff the magic dragon puff the magic dragon, a bird of cam ranh bon came to fly the evening skies in a land called vietnam. For almost a decade, the armys attention remained riveted on the infantryintensive war in vietnam, and the army became accustomed to smallunit operations and to enjoying a massive superiority over the enemy on the battlefield.
Aircraft of 3 wars, built 75 years ago, and still in active military service. Peter paul and mary puff the magic dragon sheet music. Yet singersongwriter peter yarrow and cocomposer lenny lipton have never allowed a picture book adaptation of this magical taleuntil now. Military units military photos military history military service puff the magic dragon my war brothers in arms. Patches ironon patches jacket patches strange ways. Check out our pins for other unique fashion items to customize your look. Id just be wary of buying this if you have a very sensitive kid, like mine. Nov 7, 2015 i spent almost a year in vietnam flying as a gunner on puff the magic dragon, 176 missions. On this website i hope to bring together as many resources as i can about the vietnam era u. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Us army assault helicopter company theater made vietnam patch vietnam, bat. Puff the magic dragon was a ww2 cargo plane c47 adapted with m60 gatling guns. Puff the magic dragon encyclopedia titanica message board. Puff the magic dragon was bill grants plane war tales.
Usaf 14th weapons sq puff the magic dragon hurlburt. The presentation was made by congresswoman mary fallin who arranged for the medals to be awarded. Peter, paul and mary puff, the magic dragon lyrics. Little jackie paper loved that rascal puff and brought. The douglas ac47 spooky also known as puff the magic dragon is one rough and tumble aircraft. Puff the magic dragon by leonard lipton lyrics and peter yarrow music appears on the 1963 peter, paul and mary album, moving.
Puff the magic dragon, douglas spooky gunship aka puff the magic dragon vietnam era development of the long serving. It was also a big hit about the same time in a different sort of way for airman 1st class bill grant who now lives in burnt store isles, south of punta gorda, fla. Puff the magic dragon is an enchanted dragon created by the folk rock group peter, paul and mary for their 1963 album moving. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. See more ideas about puff the magic dragon, vietnam and vietnam war. Puff the magic dragon, douglas spooky gunship aka puff the magic dragon vietnam era development of the long serving vietnam war patches. Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail, jackie kept a lookout perched on puffs gigantic tail. Lyrics and info for puff the magic dragon happy ending. Vietnam patch afb dc 3 us air force puff the magic dragon ebay. Need help with couple of patches bought at flea market posted in army and usaaf. Time delay photo of a night time fire mission of a puff the magic dragon around saigon. It was designed to provide more firepower than light and medium groundattack aircraft in certain situations when ground forces called for close air support.
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane without his lifelong friend, puff could not be brave so puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave oh, puff the magic dragon lived by the sea and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honali puff the magic dragon lived by the sea and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land. During vietnam war, i field force vietnam iffv had the mission of exercising operational control over the u. Puff, the magic dragon, lived by the sea, and frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called honey lee. Our high quality vietnam patches are professionally printed and perfect to sew onto backpacks, jackets and more to give them some unique personality. Saw combat service in korea and vietnam as an attack aircraft and as a carrierbased airborne early warning aircraft. Outside view of an ac47 with the miniguns on the one side. The red lines are tracer rounds and there are 5 bullets between each tracer round.
They were known as spooky, but the gis christened it puff the magic dragon after a wellknown song because the thousands of tracer bullets made it look like the plane was breathing fire. Vietnam veteran dragon patch vietnam war dragon patch. He had a box full of things and i grabbed only four pieces as they were priced. From gooney bird and dumbo to spooky and puff the magic dragon, at least. Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail. She still loves puff and adores the puff the magic dragon book with cd her aunt gave her id highly recommend that. Buy modern embroidered patches in our shop for your jean jacket, backpack, and clothes from independent designers to iron on or sew on view our large back patches and mini sticker patches for more cool ways to patch up your style. That was all it took, forever more, the solitary ac47 and those that joined it. Us army patches, pin and patches, military insignia, military art, cat patch, military tattoos, vintage patches, patch design, nose art. Known variously as puff the magic dragon, dragon ships or just spooky, the ac47 gunship, with its broadside battery of ge miniguns, was a sight to behold. Now, two and a half decades later, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of. P patch puff the magic dragon, 14th acs vietnam war. Puff the magic dragon, douglas spooky gunship aka puff the magic. The aircraft nickname changed from puff the magic dragon to spooky around january 1968.
Airplane for sale 1944 north american mustang ww2 aircraft, fighter aircraft, military aircraft. Cloth background with embroidery and easy sew or iron on application. Dec 2, 2016 explore stephengolden31s board 4th air commando special operations squadron. Peter, paul and mary perform puff, the magic dragon live at their 25th anniversary concert in 1986.
Utilsing flares that the aircraft dropped to light up battlegrounds, the ac47 was a gunship of the usaf operating out of udorn air base thailand and tan son nhut, saigon and nha trang. Clyde rowdy yates wanette, ok 32d 3th radio research battalion. Spooky at duc lap 1968 audio feature with troops saved. Puff the magic dragon was a big hit in the early 60s for peter, paul and mary.
Ac 47 spooky gunship vietnam patch afb dc 3 us air force puff. Originally called tunnel runners by the 25th infantry division, and ferrets by the australian army, the term tunnel rat became the official accepted name during the vietnam war for men who would descend into a pitch black, claustrophobic, dank hell, to play a deadly game of hide and seek with the enemy. Ac 47 spooky gunship vietnam patch afb dc 3 us air force. The is one of several air force special operations weapons and has seen action in iraq and afghanistan. The aircraft nickname changed from puff the magic dragon to spooky. Set of 2 vietnam war incountry machineembroidered patches, sizes are 2 by 0. The ac47 gunship saves thousands of american ground troops from being overrun by enemy forces in night attacks. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The douglas ac47 spooky also nicknamed puff, the magic dragon was the first in a series of gunships developed by the united states air force during the vietnam war. Puff the magic dragon douglas dc3, dakota, c47, r4d, dc1.
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