AC-47 Gunship SpookyDouglas AC 47 Gunship airplane model. In the early 1960s, Air Force Systems Command began experimenting with side firing weapons systems for possible use in Vietnam in point defense and night Close Air Support (CAS) roles. In late 1964, the first gunship conversion of a World War II Douglas C 47D was done. The gunship version of the C 47D was initially designated FC 47D (Fighter Cargo) but was changed to AC (Attack Cargo) primarily because of