Front view of an AC-130 gunship releasing flares over mountainous terrain at sunset, beneath Lockheed Martin AC-130 lettering.

AC-130 Gunship Artwork & T-Shirts

Six decades of gunship aviation. A legacy of distinctive aircraft design.

Few aircraft occupy as distinctive a place in military aviation as the AC-130 gunship. Developed from the Lockheed C-130 Hercules, the AC-130 has evolved across successive generations, supporting US forces from the Vietnam War era to modern operations.

The WTR Creative Apparel AC-130 Collection celebrates this remarkable aircraft family through original designs inspired by three notable gunship variants: the AC-130H Spectre, AC-130U Spooky and AC-130J Ghostrider. 

Each design pays tribute to the aircraft's distinctive profile, engineering and place in military aviation history.

Side view of an AC-130 gunship flying over desert terrain, beneath large Spectre lettering.

AC-130H

SPECTRE

The AC-130H Spectre forms part of the Hercules gunship story, an aircraft family developed around the specialised demands of close air support. Its place in that history provides the starting point for this original WTR Creative Apparel design.

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Back of a black T-shirt with a white AC-130H half-schematic and vertical AC-130H Spectre lettering.Front of a black T-shirt with a Spectre skull-and-gun emblem and Azrael ‘Angel of Death’ lettering.

The AC-130H Spectre Story

From Hercules to Spectre

The AC-130H Spectre was an evolution of the earlier AC-130 gunships developed during the Vietnam War. Based on upgraded AC-130E aircraft, the H-model entered service in 1972, continuing the gunship’s role in close air support, armed reconnaissance and air interdiction.

Built for night operations

Its defining feature was the integration of side-firing weapons with sensors and systems designed to support operations at night. The gunship’s armament evolved throughout its development, with a 105 mm howitzer introduced to the AC-130 programme in 1972. This combination of endurance, observation and concentrated fire support distinguished the Spectre from conventional transport aircraft.

AC-130H Spectre emblem featuring a skull firing a rotary gun, with Azrael ‘Angel of Death’ lettering.

Decades of service

The AC-130H served for decades, supporting US military operations across multiple theatres before the fleet’s retirement in 2015. It represents an important stage in the development of the modern AC-130 gunship, bridging earlier Vietnam-era aircraft and later generations such as the AC-130U Spooky.

AC-130U

SPOOKY

Explore the AC-130U Spooky through original WTR Creative Apparel artwork, with aircraft history and a closer look at the design below.

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Front view of an AC-130 gunship flying through clouds, beneath large Spooky lettering.
Back of a black T-shirt with a white AC-130U half-schematic and vertical AC-130U Spooky lettering.Front of a black T-shirt with a small Spooky ghost emblem and red-and-yellow flames on the chest.

The AC-130U Spooky Story

Developing the gunship

Introduced in the mid-1990s, the AC-130U Spooky represented a major step forward in the development of the Hercules gunship. Building on the AC-130H Spectre, it incorporated upgraded sensors, navigation and fire-control systems. Its role remained centred on close air support, armed reconnaissance and air interdiction.

Sensors and side-firing firepower

The Spooky combined its upgraded systems with a distinctive array of side-firing weapons: a 25 mm Gatling gun, a 40 mm cannon and a 105 mm howitzer. Its sensor and fire-control equipment supported operations at night and in adverse weather, helping crews detect, identify and engage targets.

Spooky skull figure in a black hooded robe, with raised hands and red-and-yellow flames

From Spooky to Ghostrider

After more than two decades of operational service, the AC-130U was retired as the AC-130J Ghostrider took its place in the gunship fleet. The Spooky forms an important link between the earlier Spectre and the newer Ghostrider, giving it a distinct place in the AC-130 story explored across this collection.
AC-130J Ghostrider silhouetted against the night sky, viewed through a night-vision lens, with glowing navigation lights and large Ghostrider lettering.

AC-130J

GHOSTRIDER

The AC-130J Ghostrider continues the Hercules gunship story into a new generation. Explore its place in the AC-130 family through original WTR Creative Apparel artwork, with a closer look at its development and capabilities below.

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Back of a black T-shirt with a white AC-130J half-schematic and vertical AC-130J Ghostrider lettering.Front of a black T-shirt with a small white Ghostrider figure firing a gun with an orange muzzle flash on the chest.

The AC-130J Ghostrider Story

A new generation

The AC-130J Ghostrider carries the Hercules gunship into a new generation. Developed from the C-130J platform, it incorporates digital avionics, advanced navigation and integrated sensor systems. It succeeded earlier gunship variants, including the AC-130U Spooky, while retaining the aircraft’s established roles in close air support, armed reconnaissance and air interdiction.

Precision and firepower

The Ghostrider combines its mission systems with a 30 mm cannon and a 105 mm cannon, alongside precision-guided weapons including missiles and glide bombs. This combination gives it options for supporting ground forces through both direct fire and stand-off precision strikes.

Ghostrider emblem featuring a cloaked skull figure with red eyes and a black hat, firing a gun with an orange muzzle flash.

The evolving gunship

From the Spectre through the Spooky to the Ghostrider, the AC-130 story is one of successive changes to the same distinctive gunship concept. The J-model continues that development through the integration of modern flight systems, sensors and precision-guided weapons, providing the contemporary chapter in this collection.

AC-130J

GHOSTRIDER

DANGER CLOSE

An action-led illustration of the AC-130J Ghostrider banking during a firing run, paired with bold “DANGER CLOSE” lettering.

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Close-up of an AC-130 gunship firing over mountainous terrain at sunset, with large Danger Close lettering.
Back of a black T-shirt with a white line drawing of an AC-130J Ghostrider banking and firing, with Ghostrider and Danger Close lettering.Front of a black T-shirt with white Boeing and Lockheed Martin lettering on the chest and a Ghostrider graphic on the sleeve.

The Story Behind Danger Close

Where It Started

I’ve loved the AC-130 ever since seeing it appear in Transformers back in 2007. It’s one of those aircraft that still gets me excited whenever it’s mentioned, and that enthusiasm was the starting point for Danger Close.

An Illustration in Motion

For this design, I wanted to move away from the constraints of a schematic and explore a more creative interpretation of the modern AC-130 platform. The Ghostrider banks during a firing run, with bold “DANGER CLOSE” lettering giving the composition a stronger sense of action. I’ve tried to capture as much detail as possible while leaving room for some artistic flair.

Black-and-white targeting reticle with a central crosshair and aiming marks.

The Finished Design

The back illustration is the centrepiece, with “DANGER CLOSE” beneath the aircraft. A smaller graphic on the front and a hand-drawn Ghostrider logo on the left sleeve carry the theme across the garment without taking attention away from the main illustration.