CAF’s AC-47 “Spooky” Spent a Year in Restorations Before the Flying Tribute

After more than a year in the shop for restorations, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Gulf Coast Wing’s AC-47 “Spooky” gunship has taken to the air once again. The Vietnam-era aircraft made its return to flight on October 16, debuting publicly just days later to honor fallen veteran Lt. Col. Paul Mendes.

The flyover was held on October 26 during the Vietnam Veteran Parkway Dedication ceremony. Mendes, a decorated Green Beret and three-tour Vietnam veteran, was among the last American soldiers evacuated from Saigon in 1975 and later played a key role in recovering missing US personnel. He received four Bronze Stars for valor before taking on the responsibilities of City Administrator in Magnolia, Texas. The AC-47 made two passes over the crowd, the second with a wing tilt, as a tribute to his service.

Restoring an AC-47 has been a long-term aspiration of the CAF. Following the loss of the B-17 Texas Raiders and her crew in 2022, the Wing set out to find a new flagship aircraft that could continue their mission of education and remembrance.

Months of searching led members to locate a C-47 partially configured as an AC-47 gunship near Atlanta, Georgia. CAF leadership approved its purchase, and the team immediately began the painstaking restoration process. More than a year of structural work, paint, nose art, and mechanical systems repairs brought “Spooky” back to the skies.

The Gulf Coast Wing plans to feature the aircraft at airshows across the country, keeping the legacy of the AC-47 alive for both veterans and the public.

FMI: www.gulfcoastwing.org