Roden 322 Fairchild AC-119K Stinger 1:144

The first 26 AC-119G Shadow machines, a contract for the construction of which was signed in 1968, were in essence "large AC-47s". The same range of armament was installed on board, while the C-119's big cargo compartment enabled the fitting of big analog calculators, which provided the crew with data for accurate firing. In May 1968, the first machines were delivered to the Air Force and were immediately sent on to units for working up.

One year on, a more advanced modification appeared, the AC-119K, which despite apparent similarity with its predecessor, was in fact a very different machine. Under the wings were installed additional J-85-17 turbojets, and rather than four blade motors, some machines sported three blade Hamilton Standard propellers. The biggest changes to the machine were hidden inside. To the observing systems was added an AN / AAD-4 infrared seeker, which allowed the plane to operate round-the-clock, and a RLS AN / APQ-136 radar system, which was able to track moving ground targets. Also, the weapons array was considerably strengthened - in addition to the standard four MXU-450/A modules, two blocks of the six-barreled 20 mm caliber Vulcan guns were installed.

In early 1969, the first recycled AC-119Ks were transferred to combat units for training, but problems with the reliability of the infrared systems prevented these new aircraft being immediately sent to Vietnam. Only in the fall of that year was the first AC-119K flown to Phan Rang air base, and full combat use began in the first weeks of 1970. In February the crews of these aircraft received the official Stinger call sign. During 1970 and 1971, these machines were used quite effectively in the sky of Vietnam and Laos. During this time AC-119K destroyed about a thousand ground targets and destroyed more than 3,000 of the enemy forces.

In late 1971 the AC-119K was relocated to Thailand, but again their targets were objects in Vietnam and Laos. In 1972 most AC-119Ks were transferred to the newly formed Republic of Vietnam Air Force, but American crews continued to fly them.