The AC-119 Gunships: From Cargo to Combat

Join us on Nov. 2 as local author Barry Levine presents the remarkable history of the Fairchild C-119 "Flying Boxcar" cargo aircraft. After flying unique, one-of-a-kind missions before the Vietnam (such as midair retrievals of spy satellites returning to earth from space), over 50 Flying Boxcars were repurposed as gunships during the Vietnam War.

Redesignated as AC-119s, and known as "Shadows" or "Stingers", they were highly effective in attacking enemy forces. The presentation will cover development of the aircraft, conversion into gunships, and the human drama (and tragedy) from their service in Vietnam.

About The Speaker

Barry Levine is a freelance writer, with two books published: "Yankee Air Museum" and "Michigan Aviation: People and Places that Changed History". His articles have appeared in Michigan History, Aviation History, and Vietnam magazines. Barry works part time at The Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn and is a volunteer at the Michigan Flight Museum in Belleville.