Jim,
I was at Phan Rang, RVN in 1971-72 and as I recall there were two USAF
squadrons of AC-119s I don't remember their squadron designations, but they
were called Specter and Stinger. There was also a VNAF squadron called the
Black Dragons. You didn't say when you flew them, but if the time is right I
may have watched you take off (while remaining safely on the ground). These
planes seem to be pretty much ignored in military history. I guess the
AC-130 gets most of the attention.
Bill Lawrence
>From: "James Shope" <healeymanjim@JoiMail.com>
>Reply-To: "James Shope" <healeymanjim@JoiMail.com>
>To: "healeys" <healeys@autox.team.net>
>Subject: re: merlin engines
>Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 19:26:54 -0800
>
>i flew the AC-119K for a few years. there may have been some with R-4360s
>but
>most 119s had the R-3350 with water injection and power recovery turbines,
>extracting over 3500 hp on takeoff. the engine weighed around 3000 pounds
>so
>it go lots of power for its weight. the 4360 had 28 cylinders and was much
>more reliable than the 3350 as it did not try to get so much power out of
>more
>cubic inches. i had more than a few 3350s disintegrate on takeoff at max
>gross weight. thank god for the auxiliary jets. healeymanjim
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