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Fairchild C-123 Provider

January 01, 1970

The Fairchild C-123 Provider is an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and built by Fairchild Aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. In addition to its USAF service, which included later service with the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, it went on to serve the U.S. Coast Guard and various air forces in Southeast Asia. During the War in Vietnam, the C-123 was used to deliver supplies, to evacuate the wounded, for agent insertions behind enemy lines, and was also used to spray Agent Orange.

C-123 Provider
A United States Coast Guard HC-123B Provider from CGAS Miami.
Role Military transport aircraft
National origin United States
Manufacturer Chase Aircraft
Fairchild Aircraft
First flight 14 October 1949
Introduction 1956
Retired 1995 (Royal Thai Air Force)[1]
Primary users United States Air Force (historical)
United States Coast Guard (historical)
South Vietnam Air Force (historical)
Produced 1949–1970
Number built 307
Developed from Chase XCG-20
Variants Chase XC-123A
Stroukoff YC-134

Design and development edit

 
A Chase XG-20 glider, which was later converted to the XC-123A prototype.
 
The XC-123 prototype.

The C-123 Provider was designed originally as an assault glider aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Chase Aircraft as the XCG-20 (Chase designation MS-8 Avitruc)[2] Two powered variants of the XCG-20 were developed during the early 1950s, as the XC-123 and XC-123A. The only difference were the class of engines used. The XC-123 used two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-23 air-cooled radial piston engines, while the XC-123A was fitted with four General Electric J47-GE-11 turbojets, in two pods.[3] The XC-123A also has the distinction, while being experimental, of being the first USAF's jet-powered military transport.[4] While the piston-powered XC-123 was initially well-regarded for its ruggedness,reliability, and its ability to operate from short and unimproved airstrips, the turbojet-powered XC-123A – designed for high-speed transport between USAF bases for critical parts and personnel – was found unable to operate from short and rough airstrips. There was also no practical speed advantage due to the wing and fuselage design, and a drastic reduction in range. Only the one turbojet-powered test and evaluation version was built.[citation needed]

While the United States Air Force was interested in placing an order for the new transport, Chase did not have the production capacity to meet the Air Force's needs, and sought a partner to handle production of the new aircraft.[5] By 1953, Henry J. Kaiser purchased a majority share in Chase Aircraft, feeling that after having completed C-119s for Fairchild under contract, he could take control of the impending C-123 contract. Two airframes were completed at Kaiser's Willow Run factory in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before a pricing scandal that led to Kaiser's being told that no further contracts with him would be honored. The C-123 contract was put up for bid, and the two completed airframes scrapped. The contract was finally awarded to Fairchild Engine and Airplane, who assumed production of the former Chase C-123B, a refined version of the XC-123.[6] Before turning production over to Fairchild, Chase originally named their C-123B the AVITRUC but it never stuck.[7]

Operational history edit

The first recipients of C-123 aircraft were USAF transport units, soon followed by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) which used the aircraft for search and rescue (SAR) missions, and even the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Team, the "Thunderbirds," used C-123s for a time as a logistics support aircraft for transporting the team's ground crews and equipment. The type would also be widely exported under various U.S. military assistance programs, directly from USAF stocks. A C-123 was used to transport President John F. Kennedy's limousine during his November, 1963, Texas tour.

 
USAF C-123Bs in the 1950s.

The C-123 was nearly ignored by the USAF for service in Vietnam, but a political rivalry with the U.S. Army and the Army's use of the CV-2 Caribou and later pre-production order for the de Havilland Canada C-8 Buffalo, led to a decision to deploy C-123s there. To compete with the well-performing CV-2, the USAF and Fairchild furthered development on the C-123 to allow it to do similar work on short runways. This additional development increased the utility of the aircraft and its variants to allow it to perform a number of unique tasks, including the HC-123B which operated with the USCG fitted with additional radar equipment for search and rescue missions through 1971, and the C-123J which was fitted with retractable skis for operations in Greenland and Alaska on compacted snow runways.

 
A Ranch Hand UC-123B over Vietnam in 1962.
 
A 19th ACS C-123K over the Mekong Delta, 1969.

By 1962, the C-123K variant aircraft was evaluated for operations in Southeast Asia and their stellar performance led the Air Force to upgrade 180 of the C-123B aircraft to the new C-123K standard, which featured auxiliary jet pods underneath the wings, and anti-skid brakes. In 1968, the aircraft helped resupply troops in Khe Sanh, Vietnam, during a three-month siege by North Vietnam.[2]

A number of C-123s were configured as VIP transports, including General William Westmoreland's White Whale. The C-123 also gained notoriety for its use in "Operation Ranch Hand" defoliation operations in Vietnam. Oddly enough, the USAF had officially chosen not to procure the VC-123C VIP transport, opting instead for the Convair VC-131D.

The first C-123s to reach South Vietnam were part of the USAF's Special Aerial Spray Flight, as part of Operation Ranch Hand tasked with defoliating the jungle in order to deny rebels their traditional hiding places.[8] These aircraft began their operations at the end of 1961. Aircraft fitted with spraying equipment were given the U prefix as a role modifier, with the most common types being the UC-123B and the UC-123K. Aircraft configured for this use were the last to see military service, in the control of outbreaks of insect-borne disease. The C-123 was also used as "jump aircraft" for U.S. Army Airborne students located at Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, Georgia from the early 1970s through the early 1980s. This aircraft was used in conjunction with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Lockheed C-141 Starlifter.

In 1958, the U.S. Coast Guard received its first HC-123B from the USAF, followed by seven more[9] in 1961. Prior to the Vietnam War the C-123B was utilized for a multitude of missions such as a troop carrier, medivac transport, and support missions from short, minimally-prepared landing strips.[10] Installation of a dome on the nose of the aircraft accommodated a large radar allowing the plane to meet the requirements for search and rescue and long range flight over water. The Coast Guard crewed the aircraft with a complement of five: two officers serving as the pilot and copilot, augmented by an enlisted flight mechanic, an enlisted navigator, and an enlisted loadmaster. The HC-123B's role in the Coast Guard was slowly replaced by the longer-ranged Coast Guard HC-130 aircraft during the 1960s and 1970s as those newer airframes came on line.[11][unreliable source?] In 1972 the final C-123B in the U.S Coast Guards' Inventory was retired.[9][12]

With the end of the Vietnam War, remaining C-123Ks and UC-123Ks were transferred to tactical airlift units of the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and the Air National Guard (ANG) that were operationally-gained by Tactical Air Command (TAC) before 1975 and Military Airlift Command (MAC) after 1975.[13]

The 302nd Tactical Airlift Wing at Rickenbacker AFB (later Rickenbacker ANGB), Ohio, flew the last UC-123Ks Providers in operational service before being converted to the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Known as the Special Spray Flight, these aircraft were used to control insect-borne diseases, with missions to Alaska, South America, and Guam being among the humanitarian missions performed by this Air Force Reserve unit.[14]

The final examples of the C-123 in active U.S. military service were retired from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard in the early 1980s. Some airframes were transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for test and evaluation programs while others were transferred to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for miscellaneous programs. These aircraft were also retired by the end of the 1990s.

Experimental projects edit

 
YC-123E with pantobase landing gear

In 1954, the YC-123D, formerly the XC-123A prototype, flew in its modified state after being converted by Stroukoff Aircraft. While the most obvious change from the original XC-123A was the switch of engines (to two 3,500 hp (2,600 kW) Wright Turbo Compound R3350-89A radial engines, turning four-blade, thirteen foot Aeroproducts constant-speed fully feathering propellers), the YC-123D also had a boundary layer control system fitted. This system directs air from the engines at high speed over the top of the wing, making the wing act as if the aircraft is flying at a higher airspeed. As a result, the YC-123D had a greatly reduced takeoff and landing distance. Compared to the C-123B, the YC-123D could land in 755 feet instead of 1,200, and takeoff with only 850 ft of runway instead of 1,950, with a 50,000 lb total weight.

In 1955, Stroukoff, under contract from the USAF, produced a single YC-123E, designed to be able to take off from any surface, and also equipped with BLC. The new aircraft also featured Stroukoff's Pantobase system, combining a ski system with a sealed fuselage and wing mounted floats, while retaining its normal landing gear. The skis worked both on snow and water, and the system effectively allowed the aircraft to land on water, land, snow or ice.

In 1956, the USAF awarded a contract to Fairchild to design an improved version of the C-123 under the designation C-136, but the contract was cancelled before the aircraft was built.[15]

At much the same time, the YC-123H was under development, the product of a Fairchild modification program started in 1956 and completed in 1957.[citation needed] A "Jet Augmentation Program" for existing C-123Bs had been initiated in 1955 at the behest of the USAF, and in the YC-123H contract the USAF expanded it to allow the mounting of two pod-mounted General Electric J85 turbojets.

In 1979, the Royal Thai government, seeking to extend the life of their C-123 fleet, placed a contract with the Mancro Aircraft Company, supported by the USAF, to convert a single C-123B to turboprop powerplants.[citation needed] Allison T56-A-7 turboprops were used and by the time the aircraft, dubbed C-123T, was complete it had new "wet" wings, an auxiliary power unit (APU) to assist with power movement of the control surfaces, and a heating system for the cargo compartments that also fed a new de-icing system.[citation needed] Budgetary restrictions forced the Thai government to abandon the program in 1981, and with a lack of interested parties development of the C-123T stopped.[citation needed] However, it concluded the life of the C-123 by making it the only aircraft type to operate under jet, piston, and turboprop engine power, and as a glider, during its history.[citation needed][N 1]

The C-123T has recently been revived by a joint venture between the US-based Fleetwings Aircraft Company and the South African company Elmer Group. In 2010, they announced a project to initially remanufacture old airframes for African customers and, where there was demand, to build new aircraft. The airframes would be fitted with new turboprop Rolls-Royce T56-A-15 engines, a glass cockpit and other enhancements. The proposed C-123T would have had a 25,000 lb payload capability, and a take-off run of just over 1,000 ft at 50,000 lb MTOW. Possible applications included maritime patrol, search and rescue, and even use as a gunship, while roll-on packages have already been developed for mid-air refueling and agricultural applications.[16]

Black Spot and other special military C-123s edit

During the Vietnam War, some C-123s were modified for specialized roles. Most of these modifications were on a one- or two-aircraft level. Only the usage of C-123s as "flare ships" to illuminate targets for fixed wing gunships such as the AC-47 and AC-119G were more numerous. These aircraft operating under the call-sign Candle were flown by the USAF's 14th Special Operations Wing.

 
US Air Force NC-123K "permanent test" model used over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. It was outfitted with a forward looking infrared system, low light level television, a laser rangefinder, and cluster bomb dispensers.

A single C-123B was tested as a possible replacement for the Candle aircraft, with its rear loading ramp removed and replaced with a large box with 28 large lights. The aircraft could continuously light a 2-mile (3.2 km) circle from an altitude of 12,000 ft (3,700 m). This aircraft, under the provisional designation NC-123B, was dropped because the lights fixed to the aircraft made it far easier for enemy gunners to track compared to the earlier flare ships.

The "Candle" aircraft had an extended life when several UC-123Ks were transferred to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand. During that period, it was used as a flare ship as well as a forward air control (FAC) aircraft. The flare duties were generally used for troops in contact (TIC) while the FAC mission directed air strikes in Laos over the Ho Chi Minh trail.

Another NC-123B was used as a radio relay aircraft over the Ho Chi Minh trail, with equipment to read the signals from various sensors on the ground designed to pick up enemy truck activity.

Two C-123K aircraft modified in September 1965 under Project Black Spot.[17] The Black Spot aircraft were to fit under the "self-contained night attack capability" that was Operation Shed Light's primary focus and E-Systems of Greenville, Texas, was contracted to complete the modifications. These aircraft featured a variety of new sensors including Low Light Level TV (LLLTV), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), and a laser rangefinder.[18] The aircraft looked radically different visibly from its transport brethren, as the new equipment required lengthening the nose by over 50 inches (127 cm).[19] The aircraft also featured an armament system designed to carry BLU-3/B (using the ADU-253/B adapter) or BLU-26/B (using the ADU-272/B adapter) bomblets, or CBU-68/B cluster bombs.[20][21]

The two aircraft, AF Serial Numbers 54-0691 and 54-0698, were first designated NC-123K in 1968 and then redesignated AC-123K in 1969.[N 2] These NC/AC-123Ks were first deployed operationally at Osan AB, South Korea, between August and October 1968, and flying in support of operations against North Korean infiltrators approaching by boat. The operations in Korea met with a certain level of success and as a result the NC/AC-123Ks were transferred to South Vietnam in November 1968. The aircraft operated there until January 1969, when they were redeployed to Ubon RTAB, Thailand. The two aircraft were then returned to the United States to Hurlburt Field, Florida, in May 1969, where a second round of training occurred. Four crews attended a ground school in Greenville, Texas, and returned to Hurlburt where they flew the aircraft for the first time.

The fate of the aircraft is still unclear. Sources have missions terminating in early July 1970 and the aircraft flying to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC) "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, where they were returned to C-123K standard, then returned to South Vietnam still wearing their camouflage and black undersides for transport duty.[19] However, the official history states that combat operations ceased on 11 May 1969, with no mention of the second deployment.[17] While the second deployment is mentioned in associated documentation, the only dates are of the arrival in Thailand and there is no information as to when they departed or where their destination was.[22]

Main article: Operation Shed Light

Covert operations edit

Southeast Asia edit

In 1962, the CIA acquired five C-123Bs from USAF for Air America to be used in Laos and Vietnam, and another 5 C-123Bs to be used by Republic of China Air Force (Taiwan) top secret 34th Squadron, a Black Ops units called the "Black Bat", as Flight B section (Flight A section was the two P2V-7U/RB-69A). The five Taiwan C-123Bs were sent to Lockheed Skunk Works for modifications as covert insertion aircraft with "smart" air-to-air jammer, BSTR system to jam the radars of ground anti-aircraft guns, also added a defensive operator's station to operate the jammers on board, with extra fuel in underwing tanks, with 36 Taiwanese crew finished training courses at Pope AFB by November 1962.

The five ROCAF/Taiwan/CIA C-123Bs would be used over North Vietnam as low level and nighttime covert airdrop aircraft, under the South Star II agreement, under the guise of Taiwan's national airline, China Airlines, which had "cover story" of operating Vietnamese Air Transport (VIAT) in South Vietnam, that was formerly operated by Air America. The secret outfit was based in Saigon, but would fly out of Da Nang for airdrop missions going into North Vietnam, with some missions lasting 14 hours.

 
US military equipment captured by Cambodian forces, including a C-123 shot down on 24 October 1964[23]

On 1 February 1964, the overall control of South Star II was transferred from CIA to Studies and Observations Group (SOG), as part of U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) in Saigon. The outfit was redesignated as Det. 1 of USAF's 75th Troop Carrier Squadron (TCS), but within SOG it was known as the First Flight Detachment (FFD).

In May 1964, under "Project Duck Hook", six more C-123s received extensive modifications by Lockheed Air Service at Ontario, California, equipped with ATIR and BSTR ECM packages, ASN-25 Doppler navigation system, APN-153 terrain-following radar, a console station for radio operator, new HF radio and other radios. These aircraft were issued to the secret Taiwanese Black Bat unit operating in South Vietnam. In October 1964, MACV, CIA and ROCAF/Taiwan signed the South Star III agreement to continue the operation in Vietnam. The six "Duck Hook" C-123Bs were based at Nha Trang Air Base, north of Cam Ranh Bay, officially designated as USAF Det. 12 of 1131 Special Activities Squadron.

The "Duck Hook" C-123Bs were updated with RDR-10 weather radar and ARN-131 homing receiver in 1966 in order to perform missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail. All C-123Bs were converted to C-123Ks in 1968, with two wing-mounted turbojets, plus an ECM upgrade with APR-25 radar warning receiver and ALE-1 chaff dispenser. Project "Duck Hook" designation was ultimately changed to "Heavy Hook". The Det. 12 of 1131 Special Activities Squadron unit at Nha Trang received an outstanding unit award from the USAF, for flying 4,000 classified combat and combat support missions from June 1966 to May 1968.

In May 1970, C-123Ks from the "Black Bats" supported the secret U.S. military incursion into Cambodia. In October 1970, flights into Laos began. In March 1972, the SOG was deactivated, and the Southern Star operation ended with four surviving C-123Ks returned to Taiwan. On 1 March 1973, 34th "Black Bat" Squadron of ROCAF/Taiwan was disbanded.[24]

Central America edit

Main article: Corporate Air Services HPF821

On 5 October 1986, a Corporate Air Services C-123 Provider (HPF821, previously N4410F and USAF 54-679, (c/n 20128))[25] departed San Salvador-Ilopango Airport in El Salvador loaded with 70 AK-47 rifles and 100,000 rounds of ammunition, rocket grenades and other supplies. It flew along the coastline of Nicaragua and entered Nicaraguan airspace near the border with Costa Rica. Nearing San Carlos, the plane descended to 2,500 feet while preparing to drop off its cargo to Contra fighters.

While conducting the drop, the C-123 was shot down by a Sandinista soldier, using a SA-7 Grail. CIA pilots Wallace "Buzz" Sawyer and William Cooper were killed in the crash. Loadmaster Eugene Hasenfus parachuted to safety and was taken prisoner. He was later released in December 1986.[26] The Fairchild C-123 that was shot down in Nicaragua remains there. Its sister ship, also a Fairchild C-123 that was purchased by the CIA at the same time as the first one, was then left abandoned at San Jose International Airport for a time and then was purchased for $3,000 and disassembled into 7 pieces and transported via boat to Quepos, Costa Rica and then reassembled and is now the center piece of a beachside cocktail lounge just up the road from Manual Antonio national park.[27]

Agent Orange controversy edit

In 2011, a retired Air Force officer, Major Wesley T. Carter, filed a complaint with the Air Force Inspector General alleging that the Air Force knew that UC-123Ks used for spraying Agent Orange in Vietnam remained contaminated and that the Air Force had failed to properly inform subsequent flight crews of the risks following their transfer to the Air Force Reserve at the end of the Vietnam War. In his complaint, Major Carter contends that the Air Force has known since 1994 that the aircraft were contaminated with the defoliant; he cites the fact that when a former C-123 was being prepared for a permanent static display that workers had to use HAZMAT suits and respirators. Additionally, it is asserted that when the aircraft was tested by the Air Force, it contained high levels of the known carcinogen polychlorinated dibenzodioxin, studies since confirmed by the Oregon Health Sciences University and Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health.[citation needed]

The aircraft which were flown from 1972–1982, were assigned to the Air Force Reserve after their service in Vietnam, and used for normal cargo and aeromedical evacuation missions. Air crews accumulated hundreds of flight hours aboard several contaminated aircraft that were often flown with the windows open due to the smell and eye irritation. Memos surfaced showing that Air Force JAG officers recommended keeping the toxicity information, "...within official channels." Further, Major Carter located Air Force reports of dioxin-contaminated aircraft sold abroad, and of one used at the Robins AFB, Georgia Museum of Aviation with public access to the contaminated surfaces of the aircraft. In 2010, due to concerns about dioxin contamination, the Air Force took the unusual step of shredding all the remaining surplus C-123K/UC-123K aircraft and melting the scraps into ingots for disposal.[28]

On 9 June 2011, the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force's Inspector General rejected Carter's complaints, and in a subsequent message explained, "Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to identify or notify the individuals in the categories you mention" when asked if the military would alert the aircrews regarding their exposure to dioxin. On 18 June 2011, the veterans' complaint was accepted with the Department of Defense Inspector General, adding the request that the UC-123K aircraft themselves be designated by the Secretary of Defense as "Agent Orange Exposure Sites".[29]

In December 2011, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs posted two notices of its decision that, while the post-Vietnam aircraft "may" have been contaminated, the aircrews were "unlikely" to have suffered exposure to dioxin. In an unusual response, the U.S. Center for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry quickly countered the VA position on 25 January 2012 with a statement by their Deputy Director concluding that aircrews and maintenance personnel most likely were exposed well beyond military and government surface-wipe screening levels.[30]

Variants edit

 
Cockpit of a C-123K Provider at the Castle Air Museum
 
A 3-view line drawing of a Fairchild C-123J Provider
Chase XCG-20
Two prototype all-metal troop transport gliders built by Chase Aircraft, later designated the XG-20, one became the XC-123, the other the XC-123A.
Chase XC-123
Former XG-20 fitted with two 2,200 hp (1,600 kW) R-2800-23 engines.
Chase XC-123A
Former XG-20 fitted with four J47-GE-11 turbojets in pairs (of the type used by the B-36 and B-47[31]) under wings.[3][32]
C-123B
Production model based on the XC-123 with two 2,300 hp (1,700 kW) R-2800-99W engines with accommodation for 61 troops or 50 stretchers, five built by Chase and 302 build by Fairchild Aircraft.
UC-123B
C-123Bs modified for defoliation and crop destruction duties.
VC-123C
Executive transport version of the jet-powered XC-123A, not built.
Stroukoff YC-123D
One aircraft built by Stroukoff with boundary layer control system for improved STOL performance.
Stroukoff YC-123E
One aircraft built by Stroukoff with modified fin and rudder, modified fuselage bottom (called Pantobase) and pontoon floats to allow operation from water, sand, snow or ice.
YC-123H
Prototype with wide track undercarriage and two underwing J85 booster engines.
C-123J
C-123B with two wing tip mounted Fairchild J44-R-3 booster engines, 10 converted on the production line, plus one converted later for the CAA (later FAA) for Alaska operations.[5]
C-123K
C-123Bs with two underwing J85 booster engines and larger wheels, 183 converted.
AC-123K/NC-123K
Two C-123Bs converted for armed nighttime surveillance with special sensors.
C-123L
Proposed STOL variant with T64 turboprop engines and a wide-track, large-wheel main landing gear – not proceeded with. (Fairchild Model M-541 Tactical Airlift Transport)[33]
C-123T
Proposed upgrade for Royal Thai Air Force C-123Bs including installation of turboprop engines; cancelled after one prototype due to budgetary reasons.
HC-123B
USCG search and rescue variant
UC-123K
C-123Ks converted for Ranch Hand defoliation missions, 34 converted.
VC-123K
One C-123K converted as personal transport for General Westmoreland's use in Vietnam.
Stroukoff YC-134
One aircraft built by Stroukoff, as C-123B but fitted with boundary layer control system, tailplane endplates, redesigned landing gear with tandem main wheels. Later designated YC-134A when fitted with Pantobase landing gear.
YC-136
Proposed improved variant; cancelled before any aircraft built.

Operators edit

  Brazil
  Cambodia
  Taiwan
34th "Black Bat Squadron", 1962 to 1973[24]
4 C-123K, retired in 1981
  El Salvador
  Laos
  Philippines
  Saudi Arabia
 
A South Korean C-123K in 1989.
  South Korea
  South Vietnam
  Thailand
  United States
  Venezuela

Accidents and incidents edit

 
Crash site of the C-123 from Con Air, Mount Healy, Denali National Park, Alaska
  • 9 October 1958: A C-123B Provider, AF Ser. No. 55-452', en route from Hill AFB, Utah to McChord AFB, Washington, with five USAF Thunderbirds flight crew and 14 maintenance personnel, flew through a flock of birds and crashed into a hillside six miles east of Payette, Idaho, just before 1830, killing all on board. [35] [36] This accident remains the worst loss-of-life in the Thunderbirds team history.
  • 11 December 1964: A Republic of Vietnam Air Force C-123B (#55-4522) crashed into Sơn Trà Mountain shortly after takeoff from Da Nang Air Base killing all 38 onboard.[37]
  • 11 December 1965: En route to Tuy Hoa Air Base, a USAF C-123 hit some trees on top of a ridge, causing it to enter a spin and crash. Four American officers and 81 South Vietnamese paratroopers were killed.[38]
  • 24 January 1966: A C-123K operated by the USAF (Registration 54-0702) lost power and crashed after take-off from An Khe, en route to Bong Son. The aircraft was transporting troops taking part in Operation Masher. The crew of four and 42 members of the 1st Air Cavalry Division were killed.[39]
  • 18 May 1966: C-123B Provider shot down in An Khe, South Vietnam. [40]
  • 27 November 1970: A C-123K #55-4574 on approach to Nha Trang Air Base in poor visibility crashed into terrain killing six U.S. crew and 73 South Vietnamese.[41][42]
  • 29 November 1970: A C-123K #54-0649 on approach to Cam Ranh Air Base crashed into terrain killing 42 onboard.[43]
  • 27 December 1971: A C-123K enroute from Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, to Xieng Lom located in northwestern Laos, was reportedly shot down by anti-aircraft fire approximately 35 km east northeast of Xieng Lom resulting in the loss of four crew members. In October, 1997, a Joint Task Force (JTF 98-IL) located the crash site. After three excavations (2017-2018) the remains of three crew members were identified.[44]
  • 16 October 1980: A UC-123K of the Ohio Air National Guard crashed shortly after take off en route home from Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio.[45] Four crew members died on impact, the fifth died later.[46]
  • 6 February 1982: A South Korean Air Force C-123 crashed into a volcano while on approach to Jeju International Airport, killing all 53 people on board.[47]
  • 1 June 1982: A South Korean Air Force C-123 crashed into Mt. Choenggye, killing all 53 people on board.[48]
  • 1 August 2010: The aircraft used for flying scenes in the movie Con Air, C-123K, former AF Ser. No. 54-0709, FAA registration N709RR (cn: 20158), crashed in Denali National Park while performing a cargo flight for All West Freight. All three crew members died.[49]

Surviving aircraft edit

 
A C-123K on display at Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB.
 
C-123B displays at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum
 
C-123K display at the Museum of Aviation, Robins AFB

Costa Rica edit

  • 54-0663 – El Avion restaurant in Hotel Costa Verde, Costa Rica has the twin of the CIA-operated aircraft downed by the Sandinista forces over Nicaragua in 1986. The aircraft has been converted into a bar.[50]

El Salvador edit

  • 56-4375 – Ilopango International Airport, El Salvador, C-123K with serial FAS-122 is on static display, this is one of the original aircraft provided by the United States Air Force to the Salvadorean Air Force during the Salvadoran Civil War. When was in service with the USAF, it was used, by General William Westmoreland, during the Vietnam War conflict, back then was called "The White Whale" VC-123B 56-4375 (AF 56-4375) which were used as VIP transports.

Philippines edit

  • 54-0624 – C-123K Benito Ebuen AFB, Mactan Island, Philippines
  • 54-0525 - C-123K Camp Enrile, Zamboanga City, Philippines[51]

South Korea edit

Thailand edit

  • 54-0555 – Royal Thai Air Force Museum, Don Muang AFB.[52]
  • 54-0576 – Jesada Technik Museum, Thailand, C-123K (aircraft used in Operation Dumbo Drop) (not listed on museum website)
  • UNKNOWN – Caltex gas station, Bang Whua subdistrict, Bang Pakong district, Chachoengsao province, Thailand. Retired C-123B of the Royal Thai Air Force converted into a cafe called "Coffee 123" or more popularly known by the locals as the airplane cafe.[53]

United States of America edit


Several other examples of C-123s remain in an active flying status, operated by private owners in the United States or by various air forces worldwide.[71][72]

Specifications (C-123K Provider) edit

 
3-view line drawing of the Fairchild C-123B Provider

Data from The Observer's Book of Basic Aircraft: Military (dimensions),[73] Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70 (weights and performance)[74]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4
  • Capacity: 60 passengers, 50 litters, or 24,000 pounds (11,000 kg) of cargo
  • Length: 76 ft 3 in (23.24 m)
  • Wingspan: 110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)
  • Height: 34 ft 1 in (10.39 m)
  • Wing area: 1,223 sq ft (113.6 m2)
  • Airfoil: NACA 23017[75]
  • Empty weight: 35,366 lb (16,042 kg)
  • Gross weight: 51,576 lb (23,394 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 60,000 lb (27,216 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 1,462 US gal (1,217 imp gal; 5,530 L) internal + 2x 450 US gal (370 imp gal; 1,700 L) underwing drop-tanks[76]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-99W Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) each
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J85-GE-17 turbojet engines, 2,850 lbf (12.7 kN) thrust each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed fully feathering reversible-pitch propellers

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 228 mph (367 km/h, 198 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • Cruise speed: 173 mph (278 km/h, 150 kn) maximum at 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
  • Stall speed: 95 mph (153 km/h, 83 kn) flaps and undercarriage down
  • Range: 1,035 mi (1,666 km, 899 nmi) with maximum payload
  • Ferry range: 3,280 mi (5,280 km, 2,850 nmi) with 2x 500 US gal (420 imp gal; 1,900 L) "Benson" auxiliary tanks
  • Service ceiling: 21,100 ft (6,400 m) with one engine inoperative
  • Rate of climb: 1,220 ft/min (6.2 m/s) at sea level with one engine inoperative
  • Take-off run: 1,167 ft (356 m)
  • Take-off distance to 50 ft (15 m): 1,809 ft (551 m)
  • Landing distance from 50 ft (15 m): 1,800 ft (549 m)

Notable appearances in media edit

 
Fairchild C-123 used for static and taxi scenes in Con Air (1997), at Wendover Airfield, c. 2011
Main article: Aircraft in fiction: C-123 Provider

A C-123K (54-709), N709RR (since destroyed in a crash in 2010) was prominently featured in the action film Con Air (1997); other C-123s appeared in Air America (1990), Outbreak (1995), Operation Dumbo Drop (1995) and American Made (2017), none of which were used in Operation Ranch Hand.[77][78]

See also edit

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ The DC-3/C-47 family has operated as a glider and under turboprop power, but not under jet power.
  2. ^ From Individual Aircraft Records Cards Set, provided as part of information received 24 May 2007 pursuant to Freedom of Information Act request 49112, from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, United States Air Force, Maxwell AFB, AL

Citations edit

  1. ^ (PDF). Thai Aviation. 2 September 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^ a b Gunston 1980a, p. 170.
  3. ^ a b Andrade 1979, p. 87.
  4. ^ Rolfe, Douglas and Alexis Dawydoff. Airplanes Of The World. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1962.
  5. ^ a b Beck 2022, pp. 116–117
  6. ^ Gunston 1977, p. 164.
  7. ^ . Flight. 5 November 1954. p. 682. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  8. ^ Gunston 1980a, p. 171.
  9. ^ a b "Fairchild C-123B "Provider" (1958)". Coast Guard Aviation History. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  10. ^ "1958: C-123B Aircraft Obtained". Coast Guard Aviation History. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  11. ^ . Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
  12. ^ "Fairchild C-123B "Provider"". United States Coast Guard. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  13. ^ National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved: 14 July 2017.
  14. ^ "C-123." theaviationzone.com. Retrieved: 10 August 2010.
  15. ^ Parsch, Andreas. ""Missing" USAF/DOD Aircraft Designations." designation-systems.net, 2009. Retrieved: 29 October 2010.
  16. ^ "Sturdy Provider for Africa." Jane's IHS, 2010 via Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition News, 21 September 2010.
  17. ^ a b Smith undated, p. VI.
  18. ^ Smith undated, p. 6.
  19. ^ a b Davis 1982, p. 50.
  20. ^ Smith undated, pp. 7, 32.
  21. ^ Parsch, Andreas. "AAU/AAK to AVU/AVK – Equipment Listing." designation-systems.net, 31 August 2007. Retrieved: 29 October 2010.
  22. ^ Boerschig 1969, p. 5.
  23. ^ "ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C-123B-14-FA Provider 55-4549 Phumi Dak Dam". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  24. ^ a b Pocock, Chris. The Black Bats: CIA Spy Flights Over China From Taiwan, 1951–1969. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2010. ISBN 978-0-7643-3513-6.
  25. ^ Omang, Joanne and George C. Wilson. "Questions About Plane's Origins Grow." Washington Post, 9 October 1986, pp. A-1, A-32.
  26. ^ Lednicer, David. "Intrusions, Overflights, Shootdowns and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter." David Lednicer. Retrieved: 24 September 2011.
  27. ^ "El Avion Bar and Restaurant" Retrieved: 19 September 2022
  28. ^ Philpott, Tom. "Military Update: Complaint alleges Agent Orange risks ignored." 2012-01-02 at the Wayback Machine The Gazette, 31 May 2011.
  29. ^ "DOD IG Complaint #02301." Secretary of Defense, Department of Defense.
  30. ^ Sinks, Dr. T. (Deputy Director). "Official letter." Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, 26 January 2012.
  31. ^ Gunston 1980b [page needed]
  32. ^ "Jet Power Troop Transport." Popular Science, July 1951, photo bottom of p. 81.
  33. ^ Fairchild Hiller advert, Air Force and Space Digest, Washington, D.C., January 1967, Volume 50, Number 1, pages 12–13.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i Beck 2022, p. 123
  35. ^ "19 Killed in Crash Of Air Force Plane", UPI report in Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, October 10, 1958 ("PAYETTE, Idaho-- An Air Force C123 plane crashed... about 10 miles east of this southwest Idaho town Thursday night...")
  36. ^ "Keepin 'em Flying..." www.Check-Six.com. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  37. ^ "Accident Fairchild C-123B". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  38. ^ "Find Wrecked Plane, 85 Dead, in S. Viet Nam", Chicago Tribune, December 24, 1965, p2
  39. ^ "Crash of a Fairchild C-123K in An Khe: 46 Killed".
  40. ^ "Missing for 46 years, air commando laid to rest". 29 October 2012.
  41. ^ "Headquarters MACV Monthly Summary November 1970" (PDF). Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. p. 20. Retrieved 16 March 2020.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  42. ^ "Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider near Nha Trang: 79 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  43. ^ "Crash of a Fairchild C-123K Provider near Cam Ranh Bay: 42 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  44. ^ Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Release 19-022 March 1, 2019.
  45. ^ "Accident Description: Fairchild UC-123K Provider, 16 October 198." Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.
  46. ^ "Four killed in crash of plane." The Victoria Advocate, 14 October 1980. Retrieved: 18 December 2011.
  47. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C-123J Provider registration unknown Jeju (Cheju) International Airport (CJU)". aviation-safety.net.
  48. ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C-123J Provider 56-4391 Seoul-Seongnam Air Base (SSN)". aviation-safety.net.
  49. ^ "Authorities identify victims of Alaska Con-air movie plane crash." 2010-08-06 at the Wayback Machine wireupdate.com. Retrieved: 10 August 2010.
  50. ^ Antonio, Manuel. "Hotel Costa Verde." 2010-01-07 at the Wayback Machine costaverde.com. Retrieved: 27 November 2010. (Formerly 437TAW aircraft and formerly Ranch Hand aircraft)
  51. ^ https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/10651942
  52. ^ "Outdoor display." 2012-11-22 at the Wayback Machine Royal Thai Air Force Museum. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  53. ^ Caltex ตำบล บางวัว อำเภอบางปะกง ฉะเชิงเทรา 24180
  54. ^ "Provider/54-0580". Pima Air and Space Museum. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
  55. ^ "Provider/54-0593". Warbird Registry. Warbird Resource Group. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  56. ^ "C-123K Provider." 2012-12-15 at the Wayback Machine Hill Aerospace Museum. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  57. ^ "Fairchild C-123K Provider." 2012-12-13 at the Wayback Machine March Field Air Museum. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  58. ^ "Provider/54-0629". Warbird Registry. Warbirds Resource Group. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  59. ^ "Fairchild C-123K Provider." 2012-02-24 at the Wayback Machine Museum of Aviation. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  60. ^ "C-123K Provider." Air Mobility Command Museum. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  61. ^ "Fairchild C-123K Provider Thunderpig" Air Heritage Museum. Retrieved: 20 Jan 2023.
  62. ^ Leone, Dario (2023-07-05). "Video shows last flying C-123 Provider almost crashing while landing in heavy Crosswinds at Geneseo Airshow". The Aviation Geek Club. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  63. ^ "Our Aircraft." Air America Foundation. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  64. ^ "Scrap Aircraft." Government Services Administration. Retrieved: 6 May 2017.
  65. ^ Burrish, Sam (16 August 2007). "Fairchild C-123 will centerpiece museum". SiouxCityJournal.com. Sioux City Journal. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  66. ^ "Outdoor exhibits: Fairchild C-123K Provider." Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  67. ^ "Fairchild C-123K Provider." 2013-01-06 at the Wayback Machine Castle Air Museum. Retrieved: 18 December 2012.
  68. ^ van der Voet, Aad. "C-123 Providers starring in "Con Air"". Old Wings. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  69. ^ "Fairchild C-123K Provider." National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Retrieved: 29 August 2015.
  70. ^ https://www.springhillcamps.com/experiences/summer-camps/michigan/young-teens [bare URL]
  71. ^ "C-123 Survivors From Operation Ranch Hand Vietnam". ABOUT OPERATION RANCH HAND VIETNAM SOUTHEAST ASIA 1961–1971. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  72. ^ "Fairchild C-123 Provider Census". Oldprops. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  73. ^ Green 1967, pp. 214–215.
  74. ^ Taylor 1969, pp. 323–324.
  75. ^ Lednicer, David. "The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage". m-selig.ae.illinois.edu. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  76. ^ Bridgman 1958, p. 303.
  77. ^ Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft. 2015. doi:10.17226/18848. ISBN 978-0-309-30890-8. PMID 26042319.
  78. ^ "What Happened to C-123 Aircraft".

Bibliography edit

  • Andrade, John. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Leichester, UK: Midland Counties Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Beck, Simon D. "Database: Fairchild C-123 Provider". Aeroplane, February 2022, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 115–131. ISSN 0143-7240
  • Boerschig Jr, Charles A. Black Spot Special Activities Report. Ubon, Thailand: Black Spot Task Force, 1969.
  • Bridgman, Leonard. Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, Ltd., 1958.
  • Davis, Larry. Gunships: A Pictorial History of Spooky. Carrollton, Texas: Squadron/Signal Publications, 1982.
  • Green, William. The Observer's Basic Book of Aircraft: Military. London: Frederic Warne, 1967.
  • Green, William and Gerald Pollinger. The Aircraft of the World. London: Macdonald, 1955.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Encyclopedia of World Air Power. New York: Crescent Books, 1980a. ISBN 0-517-53754-0.
  • Gunston, Bill, ed. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Commercial Aircraft. New York: Exeter Books, 1980b. ISBN 978-0-89673-077-9.
  • Gunston, Bill. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's Modern Military Aircraft. London: Salamander Books, 1977. ISBN 0-86101-010-8.
  • Halliday, John T. Flying Through Midnight. London: New Scribner/Lisa Drew Book, 2007. ISBN 978-0-7432-7488-3.
  • Smith, C.M. History of the Black Spot Task Force, 29 July 1968–11 May 1969. Eglin Air Force Base, Florida: Black Spot Task Force, undated.
  • Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1969–70. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Company, 1969. ISBN 0-354-00051-9.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fairchild C-123 Provider.
  • Page detailing the world's only C-123T "Turbo Provider" conversion

January 01, 1970
fairchild, provider, american, military, transport, aircraft, designed, chase, aircraft, built, fairchild, aircraft, force, addition, usaf, service, which, included, later, service, with, force, reserve, national, guard, went, serve, coast, guard, various, for. The Fairchild C 123 Provider is an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and built by Fairchild Aircraft for the U S Air Force In addition to its USAF service which included later service with the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard it went on to serve the U S Coast Guard and various air forces in Southeast Asia During the War in Vietnam the C 123 was used to deliver supplies to evacuate the wounded for agent insertions behind enemy lines and was also used to spray Agent Orange C 123 Provider A United States Coast Guard HC 123B Provider from CGAS Miami Role Military transport aircraft National origin United States Manufacturer Chase AircraftFairchild Aircraft First flight 14 October 1949 Introduction 1956 Retired 1995 Royal Thai Air Force 1 Primary users United States Air Force historical United States Coast Guard historical South Vietnam Air Force historical Produced 1949 1970 Number built 307 Developed from Chase XCG 20 Variants Chase XC 123AStroukoff YC 134 Contents 1 Design and development 2 Operational history 2 1 Experimental projects 2 2 Black Spot and other special military C 123s 2 3 Covert operations 2 3 1 Southeast Asia 2 3 2 Central America 2 3 3 Agent Orange controversy 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Accidents and incidents 6 Surviving aircraft 6 1 Costa Rica 6 2 El Salvador 6 3 Philippines 6 4 South Korea 6 5 Thailand 6 6 United States of America 7 Specifications C 123K Provider 8 Notable appearances in media 9 See also 10 References 10 1 Notes 10 2 Citations 10 3 Bibliography 11 External linksDesign and development edit nbsp A Chase XG 20 glider which was later converted to the XC 123A prototype nbsp The XC 123 prototype The C 123 Provider was designed originally as an assault glider aircraft for the United States Air Force USAF by Chase Aircraft as the XCG 20 Chase designation MS 8 Avitruc 2 Two powered variants of the XCG 20 were developed during the early 1950s as the XC 123 and XC 123A The only difference were the class of engines used The XC 123 used two Pratt amp Whitney R 2800 23 air cooled radial piston engines while the XC 123A was fitted with four General Electric J47 GE 11 turbojets in two pods 3 The XC 123A also has the distinction while being experimental of being the first USAF s jet powered military transport 4 While the piston powered XC 123 was initially well regarded for its ruggedness reliability and its ability to operate from short and unimproved airstrips the turbojet powered XC 123A designed for high speed transport between USAF bases for critical parts and personnel was found unable to operate from short and rough airstrips There was also no practical speed advantage due to the wing and fuselage design and a drastic reduction in range Only the one turbojet powered test and evaluation version was built citation needed While the United States Air Force was interested in placing an order for the new transport Chase did not have the production capacity to meet the Air Force s needs and sought a partner to handle production of the new aircraft 5 By 1953 Henry J Kaiser purchased a majority share in Chase Aircraft feeling that after having completed C 119s for Fairchild under contract he could take control of the impending C 123 contract Two airframes were completed at Kaiser s Willow Run factory in Ypsilanti Michigan before a pricing scandal that led to Kaiser s being told that no further contracts with him would be honored The C 123 contract was put up for bid and the two completed airframes scrapped The contract was finally awarded to Fairchild Engine and Airplane who assumed production of the former Chase C 123B a refined version of the XC 123 6 Before turning production over to Fairchild Chase originally named their C 123B the AVITRUC but it never stuck 7 Operational history editThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section Unsourced material may be challenged and removed March 2019 Learn how and when to remove this message The first recipients of C 123 aircraft were USAF transport units soon followed by the U S Coast Guard USCG which used the aircraft for search and rescue SAR missions and even the U S Air Force Demonstration Team the Thunderbirds used C 123s for a time as a logistics support aircraft for transporting the team s ground crews and equipment The type would also be widely exported under various U S military assistance programs directly from USAF stocks A C 123 was used to transport President John F Kennedy s limousine during his November 1963 Texas tour nbsp USAF C 123Bs in the 1950s The C 123 was nearly ignored by the USAF for service in Vietnam but a political rivalry with the U S Army and the Army s use of the CV 2 Caribou and later pre production order for the de Havilland Canada C 8 Buffalo led to a decision to deploy C 123s there To compete with the well performing CV 2 the USAF and Fairchild furthered development on the C 123 to allow it to do similar work on short runways This additional development increased the utility of the aircraft and its variants to allow it to perform a number of unique tasks including the HC 123B which operated with the USCG fitted with additional radar equipment for search and rescue missions through 1971 and the C 123J which was fitted with retractable skis for operations in Greenland and Alaska on compacted snow runways nbsp A Ranch Hand UC 123B over Vietnam in 1962 nbsp A 19th ACS C 123K over the Mekong Delta 1969 By 1962 the C 123K variant aircraft was evaluated for operations in Southeast Asia and their stellar performance led the Air Force to upgrade 180 of the C 123B aircraft to the new C 123K standard which featured auxiliary jet pods underneath the wings and anti skid brakes In 1968 the aircraft helped resupply troops in Khe Sanh Vietnam during a three month siege by North Vietnam 2 A number of C 123s were configured as VIP transports including General William Westmoreland s White Whale The C 123 also gained notoriety for its use in Operation Ranch Hand defoliation operations in Vietnam Oddly enough the USAF had officially chosen not to procure the VC 123C VIP transport opting instead for the Convair VC 131D The first C 123s to reach South Vietnam were part of the USAF s Special Aerial Spray Flight as part of Operation Ranch Hand tasked with defoliating the jungle in order to deny rebels their traditional hiding places 8 These aircraft began their operations at the end of 1961 Aircraft fitted with spraying equipment were given the U prefix as a role modifier with the most common types being the UC 123B and the UC 123K Aircraft configured for this use were the last to see military service in the control of outbreaks of insect borne disease The C 123 was also used as jump aircraft for U S Army Airborne students located at Lawson Army Airfield Fort Benning Georgia from the early 1970s through the early 1980s This aircraft was used in conjunction with the Lockheed C 130 Hercules and Lockheed C 141 Starlifter In 1958 the U S Coast Guard received its first HC 123B from the USAF followed by seven more 9 in 1961 Prior to the Vietnam War the C 123B was utilized for a multitude of missions such as a troop carrier medivac transport and support missions from short minimally prepared landing strips 10 Installation of a dome on the nose of the aircraft accommodated a large radar allowing the plane to meet the requirements for search and rescue and long range flight over water The Coast Guard crewed the aircraft with a complement of five two officers serving as the pilot and copilot augmented by an enlisted flight mechanic an enlisted navigator and an enlisted loadmaster The HC 123B s role in the Coast Guard was slowly replaced by the longer ranged Coast Guard HC 130 aircraft during the 1960s and 1970s as those newer airframes came on line 11 unreliable source In 1972 the final C 123B in the U S Coast Guards Inventory was retired 9 12 With the end of the Vietnam War remaining C 123Ks and UC 123Ks were transferred to tactical airlift units of the Air Force Reserve AFRES and the Air National Guard ANG that were operationally gained by Tactical Air Command TAC before 1975 and Military Airlift Command MAC after 1975 13 The 302nd Tactical Airlift Wing at Rickenbacker AFB later Rickenbacker ANGB Ohio flew the last UC 123Ks Providers in operational service before being converted to the Lockheed C 130 Hercules Known as the Special Spray Flight these aircraft were used to control insect borne diseases with missions to Alaska South America and Guam being among the humanitarian missions performed by this Air Force Reserve unit 14 The final examples of the C 123 in active U S military service were retired from the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard in the early 1980s Some airframes were transferred to the Federal Aviation Administration FAA for test and evaluation programs while others were transferred to the U S Department of Agriculture USDA for miscellaneous programs These aircraft were also retired by the end of the 1990s Experimental projects edit nbsp YC 123E with pantobase landing gear In 1954 the YC 123D formerly the XC 123A prototype flew in its modified state after being converted by Stroukoff Aircraft While the most obvious change from the original XC 123A was the switch of engines to two 3 500 hp 2 600 kW Wright Turbo Compound R3350 89A radial engines turning four blade thirteen foot Aeroproducts constant speed fully feathering propellers the YC 123D also had a boundary layer control system fitted This system directs air from the engines at high speed over the top of the wing making the wing act as if the aircraft is flying at a higher airspeed As a result the YC 123D had a greatly reduced takeoff and landing distance Compared to the C 123B the YC 123D could land in 755 feet instead of 1 200 and takeoff with only 850 ft of runway instead of 1 950 with a 50 000 lb total weight In 1955 Stroukoff under contract from the USAF produced a single YC 123E designed to be able to take off from any surface and also equipped with BLC The new aircraft also featured Stroukoff s Pantobase system combining a ski system with a sealed fuselage and wing mounted floats while retaining its normal landing gear The skis worked both on snow and water and the system effectively allowed the aircraft to land on water land snow or ice In 1956 the USAF awarded a contract to Fairchild to design an improved version of the C 123 under the designation C 136 but the contract was cancelled before the aircraft was built 15 At much the same time the YC 123H was under development the product of a Fairchild modification program started in 1956 and completed in 1957 citation needed A Jet Augmentation Program for existing C 123Bs had been initiated in 1955 at the behest of the USAF and in the YC 123H contract the USAF expanded it to allow the mounting of two pod mounted General Electric J85 turbojets In 1979 the Royal Thai government seeking to extend the life of their C 123 fleet placed a contract with the Mancro Aircraft Company supported by the USAF to convert a single C 123B to turboprop powerplants citation needed Allison T56 A 7 turboprops were used and by the time the aircraft dubbed C 123T was complete it had new wet wings an auxiliary power unit APU to assist with power movement of the control surfaces and a heating system for the cargo compartments that also fed a new de icing system citation needed Budgetary restrictions forced the Thai government to abandon the program in 1981 and with a lack of interested parties development of the C 123T stopped citation needed However it concluded the life of the C 123 by making it the only aircraft type to operate under jet piston and turboprop engine power and as a glider during its history citation needed N 1 The C 123T has recently been revived by a joint venture between the US based Fleetwings Aircraft Company and the South African company Elmer Group In 2010 they announced a project to initially remanufacture old airframes for African customers and where there was demand to build new aircraft The airframes would be fitted with new turboprop Rolls Royce T56 A 15 engines a glass cockpit and other enhancements The proposed C 123T would have had a 25 000 lb payload capability and a take off run of just over 1 000 ft at 50 000 lb MTOW Possible applications included maritime patrol search and rescue and even use as a gunship while roll on packages have already been developed for mid air refueling and agricultural applications 16 Black Spot and other special military C 123s edit During the Vietnam War some C 123s were modified for specialized roles Most of these modifications were on a one or two aircraft level Only the usage of C 123s as flare ships to illuminate targets for fixed wing gunships such as the AC 47 and AC 119G were more numerous These aircraft operating under the call sign Candle were flown by the USAF s 14th Special Operations Wing nbsp US Air Force NC 123K permanent test model used over the Ho Chi Minh Trail It was outfitted with a forward looking infrared system low light level television a laser rangefinder and cluster bomb dispensers A single C 123B was tested as a possible replacement for the Candle aircraft with its rear loading ramp removed and replaced with a large box with 28 large lights The aircraft could continuously light a 2 mile 3 2 km circle from an altitude of 12 000 ft 3 700 m This aircraft under the provisional designation NC 123B was dropped because the lights fixed to the aircraft made it far easier for enemy gunners to track compared to the earlier flare ships The Candle aircraft had an extended life when several UC 123Ks were transferred to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand During that period it was used as a flare ship as well as a forward air control FAC aircraft The flare duties were generally used for troops in contact TIC while the FAC mission directed air strikes in Laos over the Ho Chi Minh trail Another NC 123B was used as a radio relay aircraft over the Ho Chi Minh trail with equipment to read the signals from various sensors on the ground designed to pick up enemy truck activity Two C 123K aircraft modified in September 1965 under Project Black Spot 17 The Black Spot aircraft were to fit under the self contained night attack capability that was Operation Shed Light s primary focus and E Systems of Greenville Texas was contracted to complete the modifications These aircraft featured a variety of new sensors including Low Light Level TV LLLTV Forward Looking Infrared FLIR and a laser rangefinder 18 The aircraft looked radically different visibly from its transport brethren as the new equipment required lengthening the nose by over 50 inches 127 cm 19 The aircraft also featured an armament system designed to carry BLU 3 B using the ADU 253 B adapter or BLU 26 B using the ADU 272 B adapter bomblets or CBU 68 B cluster bombs 20 21 The two aircraft AF Serial Numbers 54 0691 and 54 0698 were first designated NC 123K in 1968 and then redesignated AC 123K in 1969 N 2 These NC AC 123Ks were first deployed operationally at Osan AB South Korea between August and October 1968 and flying in support of operations against North Korean infiltrators approaching by boat The operations in Korea met with a certain level of success and as a result the NC AC 123Ks were transferred to South Vietnam in November 1968 The aircraft operated there until January 1969 when they were redeployed to Ubon RTAB Thailand The two aircraft were then returned to the United States to Hurlburt Field Florida in May 1969 where a second round of training occurred Four crews attended a ground school in Greenville Texas and returned to Hurlburt where they flew the aircraft for the first time The fate of the aircraft is still unclear Sources have missions terminating in early July 1970 and the aircraft flying to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center MASDC boneyard at Davis Monthan AFB Arizona where they were returned to C 123K standard then returned to South Vietnam still wearing their camouflage and black undersides for transport duty 19 However the official history states that combat operations ceased on 11 May 1969 with no mention of the second deployment 17 While the second deployment is mentioned in associated documentation the only dates are of the arrival in Thailand and there is no information as to when they departed or where their destination was 22 Main article Operation Shed Light Covert operations edit Southeast Asia edit In 1962 the CIA acquired five C 123Bs from USAF for Air America to be used in Laos and Vietnam and another 5 C 123Bs to be used by Republic of China Air Force Taiwan top secret 34th Squadron a Black Ops units called the Black Bat as Flight B section Flight A section was the two P2V 7U RB 69A The five Taiwan C 123Bs were sent to Lockheed Skunk Works for modifications as covert insertion aircraft with smart air to air jammer BSTR system to jam the radars of ground anti aircraft guns also added a defensive operator s station to operate the jammers on board with extra fuel in underwing tanks with 36 Taiwanese crew finished training courses at Pope AFB by November 1962 The five ROCAF Taiwan CIA C 123Bs would be used over North Vietnam as low level and nighttime covert airdrop aircraft under the South Star II agreement under the guise of Taiwan s national airline China Airlines which had cover story of operating Vietnamese Air Transport VIAT in South Vietnam that was formerly operated by Air America The secret outfit was based in Saigon but would fly out of Da Nang for airdrop missions going into North Vietnam with some missions lasting 14 hours nbsp US military equipment captured by Cambodian forces including a C 123 shot down on 24 October 1964 23 On 1 February 1964 the overall control of South Star II was transferred from CIA to Studies and Observations Group SOG as part of U S Military Assistance Command Vietnam MACV in Saigon The outfit was redesignated as Det 1 of USAF s 75th Troop Carrier Squadron TCS but within SOG it was known as the First Flight Detachment FFD In May 1964 under Project Duck Hook six more C 123s received extensive modifications by Lockheed Air Service at Ontario California equipped with ATIR and BSTR ECM packages ASN 25 Doppler navigation system APN 153 terrain following radar a console station for radio operator new HF radio and other radios These aircraft were issued to the secret Taiwanese Black Bat unit operating in South Vietnam In October 1964 MACV CIA and ROCAF Taiwan signed the South Star III agreement to continue the operation in Vietnam The six Duck Hook C 123Bs were based at Nha Trang Air Base north of Cam Ranh Bay officially designated as USAF Det 12 of 1131 Special Activities Squadron The Duck Hook C 123Bs were updated with RDR 10 weather radar and ARN 131 homing receiver in 1966 in order to perform missions over the Ho Chi Minh trail All C 123Bs were converted to C 123Ks in 1968 with two wing mounted turbojets plus an ECM upgrade with APR 25 radar warning receiver and ALE 1 chaff dispenser Project Duck Hook designation was ultimately changed to Heavy Hook The Det 12 of 1131 Special Activities Squadron unit at Nha Trang received an outstanding unit award from the USAF for flying 4 000 classified combat and combat support missions from June 1966 to May 1968 In May 1970 C 123Ks from the Black Bats supported the secret U S military incursion into Cambodia In October 1970 flights into Laos began In March 1972 the SOG was deactivated and the Southern Star operation ended with four surviving C 123Ks returned to Taiwan On 1 March 1973 34th Black Bat Squadron of ROCAF Taiwan was disbanded 24 Central America edit Main article Corporate Air Services HPF821 On 5 October 1986 a Corporate Air Services C 123 Provider HPF821 previously N4410F and USAF 54 679 c n 20128 25 departed San Salvador Ilopango Airport in El Salvador loaded with 70 AK 47 rifles and 100 000 rounds of ammunition rocket grenades and other supplies It flew along the coastline of Nicaragua and entered Nicaraguan airspace near the border with Costa Rica Nearing San Carlos the plane descended to 2 500 feet while preparing to drop off its cargo to Contra fighters While conducting the drop the C 123 was shot down by a Sandinista soldier using a SA 7 Grail CIA pilots Wallace Buzz Sawyer and William Cooper were killed in the crash Loadmaster Eugene Hasenfus parachuted to safety and was taken prisoner He was later released in December 1986 26 The Fairchild C 123 that was shot down in Nicaragua remains there Its sister ship also a Fairchild C 123 that was purchased by the CIA at the same time as the first one was then left abandoned at San Jose International Airport for a time and then was purchased for 3 000 and disassembled into 7 pieces and transported via boat to Quepos Costa Rica and then reassembled and is now the center piece of a beachside cocktail lounge just up the road from Manual Antonio national park 27 Agent Orange controversy edit In 2011 a retired Air Force officer Major Wesley T Carter filed a complaint with the Air Force Inspector General alleging that the Air Force knew that UC 123Ks used for spraying Agent Orange in Vietnam remained contaminated and that the Air Force had failed to properly inform subsequent flight crews of the risks following their transfer to the Air Force Reserve at the end of the Vietnam War In his complaint Major Carter contends that the Air Force has known since 1994 that the aircraft were contaminated with the defoliant he cites the fact that when a former C 123 was being prepared for a permanent static display that workers had to use HAZMAT suits and respirators Additionally it is asserted that when the aircraft was tested by the Air Force it contained high levels of the known carcinogen polychlorinated dibenzodioxin studies since confirmed by the Oregon Health Sciences University and Columbia University s Mailman School of Public Health citation needed The aircraft which were flown from 1972 1982 were assigned to the Air Force Reserve after their service in Vietnam and used for normal cargo and aeromedical evacuation missions Air crews accumulated hundreds of flight hours aboard several contaminated aircraft that were often flown with the windows open due to the smell and eye irritation Memos surfaced showing that Air Force JAG officers recommended keeping the toxicity information within official channels Further Major Carter located Air Force reports of dioxin contaminated aircraft sold abroad and of one used at the Robins AFB Georgia Museum of Aviation with public access to the contaminated surfaces of the aircraft In 2010 due to concerns about dioxin contamination the Air Force took the unusual step of shredding all the remaining surplus C 123K UC 123K aircraft and melting the scraps into ingots for disposal 28 On 9 June 2011 the Secretary of the U S Air Force s Inspector General rejected Carter s complaints and in a subsequent message explained Unfortunately we do not have the ability to identify or notify the individuals in the categories you mention when asked if the military would alert the aircrews regarding their exposure to dioxin On 18 June 2011 the veterans complaint was accepted with the Department of Defense Inspector General adding the request that the UC 123K aircraft themselves be designated by the Secretary of Defense as Agent Orange Exposure Sites 29 In December 2011 the U S Department of Veterans Affairs posted two notices of its decision that while the post Vietnam aircraft may have been contaminated the aircrews were unlikely to have suffered exposure to dioxin In an unusual response the U S Center for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry quickly countered the VA position on 25 January 2012 with a statement by their Deputy Director concluding that aircrews and maintenance personnel most likely were exposed well beyond military and government surface wipe screening levels 30 Variants edit nbsp Cockpit of a C 123K Provider at the Castle Air Museum nbsp A 3 view line drawing of a Fairchild C 123J Provider Chase XCG 20 Two prototype all metal troop transport gliders built by Chase Aircraft later designated the XG 20 one became the XC 123 the other the XC 123A Chase XC 123 Former XG 20 fitted with two 2 200 hp 1 600 kW R 2800 23 engines Chase XC 123A Former XG 20 fitted with four J47 GE 11 turbojets in pairs of the type used by the B 36 and B 47 31 under wings 3 32 C 123B Production model based on the XC 123 with two 2 300 hp 1 700 kW R 2800 99W engines with accommodation for 61 troops or 50 stretchers five built by Chase and 302 build by Fairchild Aircraft UC 123B C 123Bs modified for defoliation and crop destruction duties VC 123C Executive transport version of the jet powered XC 123A not built Stroukoff YC 123D One aircraft built by Stroukoff with boundary layer control system for improved STOL performance Stroukoff YC 123E One aircraft built by Stroukoff with modified fin and rudder modified fuselage bottom called Pantobase and pontoon floats to allow operation from water sand snow or ice YC 123H Prototype with wide track undercarriage and two underwing J85 booster engines C 123J C 123B with two wing tip mounted Fairchild J44 R 3 booster engines 10 converted on the production line plus one converted later for the CAA later FAA for Alaska operations 5 C 123K C 123Bs with two underwing J85 booster engines and larger wheels 183 converted AC 123K NC 123K Two C 123Bs converted for armed nighttime surveillance with special sensors C 123L Proposed STOL variant with T64 turboprop engines and a wide track large wheel main landing gear not proceeded with Fairchild Model M 541 Tactical Airlift Transport 33 C 123T Proposed upgrade for Royal Thai Air Force C 123Bs including installation of turboprop engines cancelled after one prototype due to budgetary reasons HC 123B USCG search and rescue variant UC 123K C 123Ks converted for Ranch Hand defoliation missions 34 converted VC 123K One C 123K converted as personal transport for General Westmoreland s use in Vietnam Stroukoff YC 134 One aircraft built by Stroukoff as C 123B but fitted with boundary layer control system tailplane endplates redesigned landing gear with tandem main wheels Later designated YC 134A when fitted with Pantobase landing gear YC 136 Proposed improved variant cancelled before any aircraft built Operators edit nbsp Brazil Brazilian Air Force two resold to VARIG nbsp Cambodia Khmer Air Force received 21 C 123Ks in 1973 34 nbsp Taiwan Republic of China Air Force 34th Black Bat Squadron 1962 to 1973 24 4 C 123K retired in 1981 dd nbsp El Salvador Air Force of El Salvador received three C 123Ks in 1982 34 nbsp Laos Royal Lao Air Force received 10 in 1973 34 Lao People s Liberation Army Air Force nbsp Philippines Philippine Air Force received 19 from 1973 34 nbsp Saudi Arabia Royal Saudi Air Force Six C 123Bs acquired in 1957 Five returned to US in 1966 67 34 nbsp A South Korean C 123K in 1989 nbsp South Korea Republic of Korea Air Force C 123Ks from 1973 and C 123Js from 1977 34 nbsp South Vietnam Republic of Vietnam Air Force 64 C 123Ks acquired 1971 72 34 nbsp Thailand Royal Thai Air Force 34 nbsp United States United States Air Force United States Coast Guard nbsp Venezuela Venezuelan Air Force 18 C 123Bs acquired 1958 in use until 1983 34 Accidents and incidents edit nbsp Crash site of the C 123 from Con Air Mount Healy Denali National Park Alaska 9 October 1958 A C 123B Provider AF Ser No 55 452 en route from Hill AFB Utah to McChord AFB Washington with five USAF Thunderbirds flight crew and 14 maintenance personnel flew through a flock of birds and crashed into a hillside six miles east of Payette Idaho just before 1830 killing all on board 35 36 This accident remains the worst loss of life in the Thunderbirds team history 11 December 1964 A Republic of Vietnam Air Force C 123B 55 4522 crashed into Sơn Tra Mountain shortly after takeoff from Da Nang Air Base killing all 38 onboard 37 11 December 1965 En route to Tuy Hoa Air Base a USAF C 123 hit some trees on top of a ridge causing it to enter a spin and crash Four American officers and 81 South Vietnamese paratroopers were killed 38 24 January 1966 A C 123K operated by the USAF Registration 54 0702 lost power and crashed after take off from An Khe en route to Bong Son The aircraft was transporting troops taking part in Operation Masher The crew of four and 42 members of the 1st Air Cavalry Division were killed 39 18 May 1966 C 123B Provider shot down in An Khe South Vietnam 40 27 November 1970 A C 123K 55 4574 on approach to Nha Trang Air Base in poor visibility crashed into terrain killing six U S crew and 73 South Vietnamese 41 42 29 November 1970 A C 123K 54 0649 on approach to Cam Ranh Air Base crashed into terrain killing 42 onboard 43 27 December 1971 A C 123K enroute from Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base to Xieng Lom located in northwestern Laos was reportedly shot down by anti aircraft fire approximately 35 km east northeast of Xieng Lom resulting in the loss of four crew members In October 1997 a Joint Task Force JTF 98 IL located the crash site After three excavations 2017 2018 the remains of three crew members were identified 44 16 October 1980 A UC 123K of the Ohio Air National Guard crashed shortly after take off en route home from Fort Sill Oklahoma to Rickenbacker ANGB Ohio 45 Four crew members died on impact the fifth died later 46 6 February 1982 A South Korean Air Force C 123 crashed into a volcano while on approach to Jeju International Airport killing all 53 people on board 47 1 June 1982 A South Korean Air Force C 123 crashed into Mt Choenggye killing all 53 people on board 48 1 August 2010 The aircraft used for flying scenes in the movie Con Air C 123K former AF Ser No 54 0709 FAA registration N709RR cn 20158 crashed in Denali National Park while performing a cargo flight for All West Freight All three crew members died 49 Surviving aircraft editThis section needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section Unsourced material may be challenged and removed September 2011 Learn how and when to remove this message nbsp A C 123K on display at Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB nbsp C 123B displays at the Royal Thai Air Force Museum nbsp C 123K display at the Museum of Aviation Robins AFB Costa Rica edit 54 0663 El Avion restaurant in Hotel Costa Verde Costa Rica has the twin of the CIA operated aircraft downed by the Sandinista forces over Nicaragua in 1986 The aircraft has been converted into a bar 50 El Salvador edit 56 4375 Ilopango International Airport El Salvador C 123K with serial FAS 122 is on static display this is one of the original aircraft provided by the United States Air Force to the Salvadorean Air Force during the Salvadoran Civil War When was in service with the USAF it was used by General William Westmoreland during the Vietnam War conflict back then was called The White Whale VC 123B 56 4375 AF 56 4375 which were used as VIP transports Philippines edit 54 0624 C 123K Benito Ebuen AFB Mactan Island Philippines 54 0525 C 123K Camp Enrile Zamboanga City Philippines 51 South Korea edit 54 0687 Muan International Airport South Korea 55 4509 Jeju Aerospace Museum South Korea 56 4360 Jinpo maritime Theme park Gunsan South Korea 56 4386 9 War Memorial of Korea Seoul South Korea Thailand edit 54 0555 Royal Thai Air Force Museum Don Muang AFB 52 54 0576 Jesada Technik Museum Thailand C 123K aircraft used in Operation Dumbo Drop not listed on museum website UNKNOWN Caltex gas station Bang Whua subdistrict Bang Pakong district Chachoengsao province Thailand Retired C 123B of the Royal Thai Air Force converted into a cafe called Coffee 123 or more popularly known by the locals as the airplane cafe 53 United States of America edit 54 0580 Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to Davis Monthan AFB Tucson Arizona C 123 B K On loan from US Forest Service 54 54 0593 Wilford Hall Medical Center Lackland AFB Texas 55 54 0604 Dyess AFB Texas C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 54 0609 Fort Bragg North Carolina 82nd Airborne Division War Memorial Museum C 123K 54 0610 Hill Aerospace Museum Hill AFB Utah C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 56 54 0612 March ARB California March Field Air Museum C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 57 54 0629 McGuire AFB Trenton New Jersey 58 54 0633 Robins AFB Georgia Museum of Aviation C 123B on loan from NMUSAF 59 54 0658 Dover AFB Delaware Air Mobility Command Museum C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 60 54 0664 Air Heritage Aviation Museum in Beaver Falls Pennsylvania this museum s C 123K nicknamed Thunder Pig is operational and available for air shows 61 62 54 0668 Lackland AFB Texas C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 54 0669 Pope AAF former Pope AFB North Carolina Pope Air Park C 123K painted as AF Ser No 54 0372 on loan from NMUSAF 54 0674 Air America Foundation Inc owns a C 123K housed at Space Coast Regional Airport Titusville Florida 63 54 0683 Air Force Flight Test Museum California sitting alongside a C 119 Flying Boxcar on an unused runway south of the air base This aircraft was auctioned off in early 2016 64 54 0695 Mid America Transportation and Aviation Museum Sioux City Iowa 65 55 4505 Pima Air and Space Museum adjacent to Davis Monthan AFB Tucson Arizona C 123B on loan from NMUSAF former Ranch Hand aircraft 55 4507 Travis AFB California Travis Air Museum C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 66 55 4512 Castle Airport former Castle AFB California Castle Air Museum C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 67 55 4533 Hurlburt Field Florida Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 55 4558 C 123J at Museum of Alaska Transportation amp Industry Wasilla Airport Alaska 55 4567 Little Rock AFB Arkansas C 123K on loan from NMUSAF 56 4361 Wendover Airport Wendover Utah 68 56 4362 National Museum of the United States Air Force Wright Patterson AFB Ohio C 123K Patches former Ranch Hand aircraft 69 56 4395 Former Kulis ANGB Anchorage Alaska C 123J on loan from NMUSAF UNKNOWN SpringHill Camps Evart Michigan This C 123K has been repurposed as a camp cabin for year round use 70 Several other examples of C 123s remain in an active flying status operated by private owners in the United States or by various air forces worldwide 71 72 Specifications C 123K Provider edit nbsp 3 view line drawing of the Fairchild C 123B Provider Data from The Observer s Book of Basic Aircraft Military dimensions 73 Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1969 70 weights and performance 74 General characteristicsCrew 4 Capacity 60 passengers 50 litters or 24 000 pounds 11 000 kg of cargo Length 76 ft 3 in 23 24 m Wingspan 110 ft 0 in 33 53 m Height 34 ft 1 in 10 39 m Wing area 1 223 sq ft 113 6 m2 Airfoil NACA 23017 75 Empty weight 35 366 lb 16 042 kg Gross weight 51 576 lb 23 394 kg Max takeoff weight 60 000 lb 27 216 kg Fuel capacity 1 462 US gal 1 217 imp gal 5 530 L internal 2x 450 US gal 370 imp gal 1 700 L underwing drop tanks 76 Powerplant 2 Pratt amp Whitney R 2800 99W Double Wasp 18 cylinder air cooled radial piston engines 2 500 hp 1 900 kW each Powerplant 2 General Electric J85 GE 17 turbojet engines 2 850 lbf 12 7 kN thrust each Propellers 3 bladed Hamilton Standard constant speed fully feathering reversible pitch propellers Performance Maximum speed 228 mph 367 km h 198 kn at 10 000 ft 3 048 m Cruise speed 173 mph 278 km h 150 kn maximum at 10 000 ft 3 048 m Stall speed 95 mph 153 km h 83 kn flaps and undercarriage down Range 1 035 mi 1 666 km 899 nmi with maximum payload Ferry range 3 280 mi 5 280 km 2 850 nmi with 2x 500 US gal 420 imp gal 1 900 L Benson auxiliary tanks Service ceiling 21 100 ft 6 400 m with one engine inoperative Rate of climb 1 220 ft min 6 2 m s at sea level with one engine inoperative Take off run 1 167 ft 356 m Take off distance to 50 ft 15 m 1 809 ft 551 m Landing distance from 50 ft 15 m 1 800 ft 549 m Notable appearances in media edit nbsp Fairchild C 123 used for static and taxi scenes in Con Air 1997 at Wendover Airfield c 2011 Main article Aircraft in fiction C 123 Provider A C 123K 54 709 N709RR since destroyed in a crash in 2010 was prominently featured in the action film Con Air 1997 other C 123s appeared in Air America 1990 Outbreak 1995 Operation Dumbo Drop 1995 and American Made 2017 none of which were used in Operation Ranch Hand 77 78 See also editRelated development Chase XCG 20 Chase XC 123A Stroukoff YC 134 Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Aeritalia G 222 Antonov An 8 Blackburn Beverley Related lists List of military aircraft of the United StatesReferences editNotes edit The DC 3 C 47 family has operated as a glider and under turboprop power but not under jet power From Individual Aircraft Records Cards Set provided as part of information received 24 May 2007 pursuant to Freedom of Information Act request 49112 from the Air Force Historical Research Agency United States Air Force Maxwell AFB AL Citations edit Royal Thai Air Force PDF Thai Aviation 2 September 2016 Archived from the original PDF on 4 November 2016 Retrieved 17 November 2016 a b Gunston 1980a p 170 a b Andrade 1979 p 87 Rolfe Douglas and Alexis Dawydoff Airplanes Of The World New York Simon amp Schuster 1962 a b Beck 2022 pp 116 117 Gunston 1977 p 164 Military transports Fairchild C 123 Provider Flight 5 November 1954 p 682 Archived from the original on 5 March 2016 Gunston 1980a p 171 a b Fairchild C 123B Provider 1958 Coast Guard Aviation History Retrieved 2024 04 26 1958 C 123B Aircraft Obtained Coast Guard Aviation History Retrieved 2024 04 26 History of the C 123 and Its Use by the Coast Guard Yahoo Voices voices yahoo com Archived from the original on 2014 07 29 Retrieved 2014 02 13 Fairchild C 123B Provider United States Coast Guard Retrieved 2024 04 26 Fairchild C 123 Provider National Museum of the United States Air Force Retrieved 14 July 2017 C 123 theaviationzone com Retrieved 10 August 2010 Parsch Andreas Missing USAF DOD Aircraft Designations designation systems net 2009 Retrieved 29 October 2010 Sturdy Provider for Africa Jane s IHS 2010 via Africa Aerospace and Defence Exhibition News 21 September 2010 a b Smith undated p VI Smith undated p 6 a b Davis 1982 p 50 Smith undated pp 7 32 Parsch Andreas AAU AAK to AVU AVK Equipment Listing designation systems net 31 August 2007 Retrieved 29 October 2010 Boerschig 1969 p 5 ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C 123B 14 FA Provider 55 4549 Phumi Dak Dam aviation safety net Retrieved 2024 02 01 a b Pocock Chris The Black Bats CIA Spy Flights Over China From Taiwan 1951 1969 Atglen Pennsylvania Schiffer Publishing 2010 ISBN 978 0 7643 3513 6 Omang Joanne and George C Wilson Questions About Plane s Origins Grow Washington Post 9 October 1986 pp A 1 A 32 Lednicer David Intrusions Overflights Shootdowns and Defections During the Cold War and Thereafter David Lednicer Retrieved 24 September 2011 El Avion Bar and Restaurant Retrieved 19 September 2022 Philpott Tom Military Update Complaint alleges Agent Orange risks ignored Archived 2012 01 02 at the Wayback Machine The Gazette 31 May 2011 DOD IG Complaint 02301 Secretary of Defense Department of Defense Sinks Dr T Deputy Director Official letter Agency for Toxic Substances amp Disease Registry 26 January 2012 Gunston 1980b page needed Jet Power Troop Transport Popular Science July 1951 photo bottom of p 81 Fairchild Hiller advert Air Force and Space Digest Washington D C January 1967 Volume 50 Number 1 pages 12 13 a b c d e f g h i Beck 2022 p 123 19 Killed in Crash Of Air Force Plane UPI report in Eugene OR Register Guard October 10 1958 PAYETTE Idaho An Air Force C123 plane crashed about 10 miles east of this southwest Idaho town Thursday night Keepin em Flying www Check Six com Retrieved 13 May 2013 Accident Fairchild C 123B Aviation Safety Network Retrieved 16 November 2020 Find Wrecked Plane 85 Dead in S Viet Nam Chicago Tribune December 24 1965 p2 Crash of a Fairchild C 123K in An Khe 46 Killed Missing for 46 years air commando laid to rest 29 October 2012 Headquarters MACV Monthly Summary November 1970 PDF Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam p 20 Retrieved 16 March 2020 nbsp This article incorporates text from this source which is in the public domain Crash of a Fairchild C 123K Provider near Nha Trang 79 killed Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives Retrieved 16 March 2020 Crash of a Fairchild C 123K Provider near Cam Ranh Bay 42 killed Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives Retrieved 16 March 2020 Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency Release 19 022 March 1 2019 Accident Description Fairchild UC 123K Provider 16 October 198 Aviation Safety Network Retrieved 18 December 2011 Four killed in crash of plane The Victoria Advocate 14 October 1980 Retrieved 18 December 2011 Ranter Harro ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C 123J Provider registration unknown Jeju Cheju International Airport CJU aviation safety net Ranter Harro ASN Aircraft accident Fairchild C 123J Provider 56 4391 Seoul Seongnam Air Base SSN aviation safety net Authorities identify victims of Alaska Con air movie plane crash Archived 2010 08 06 at the Wayback Machine wireupdate com Retrieved 10 August 2010 Antonio Manuel Hotel Costa Verde Archived 2010 01 07 at the Wayback Machine costaverde com Retrieved 27 November 2010 Formerly 437TAW aircraft and formerly Ranch Hand aircraft https www jetphotos com photo 10651942 Outdoor display Archived 2012 11 22 at the Wayback Machine Royal Thai Air Force Museum Retrieved 18 December 2012 Caltex tabl bangww xaephxbangpakng chaechingethra 24180 Provider 54 0580 Pima Air and Space Museum Retrieved 20 April 2019 Provider 54 0593 Warbird Registry Warbird Resource Group Retrieved 20 April 2015 C 123K Provider Archived 2012 12 15 at the Wayback Machine Hill Aerospace Museum Retrieved 18 December 2012 Fairchild C 123K Provider Archived 2012 12 13 at the Wayback Machine March Field Air Museum Retrieved 18 December 2012 Provider 54 0629 Warbird Registry Warbirds Resource Group Retrieved 20 April 2015 Fairchild C 123K Provider Archived 2012 02 24 at the Wayback Machine Museum of Aviation Retrieved 18 December 2012 C 123K Provider Air Mobility Command Museum Retrieved 18 December 2012 Fairchild C 123K Provider Thunderpig Air Heritage Museum Retrieved 20 Jan 2023 Leone Dario 2023 07 05 Video shows last flying C 123 Provider almost crashing while landing in heavy Crosswinds at Geneseo Airshow The Aviation Geek Club Retrieved 2023 08 06 Our Aircraft Air America Foundation Retrieved 18 December 2012 Scrap Aircraft Government Services Administration Retrieved 6 May 2017 Burrish Sam 16 August 2007 Fairchild C 123 will centerpiece museum SiouxCityJournal com Sioux City Journal Retrieved 20 April 2015 Outdoor exhibits Fairchild C 123K Provider Jimmy Doolittle Air and Space Museum Foundation Retrieved 18 December 2012 Fairchild C 123K Provider Archived 2013 01 06 at the Wayback Machine Castle Air Museum Retrieved 18 December 2012 van der Voet Aad C 123 Providers starring in Con Air Old Wings Retrieved 20 April 2015 Fairchild C 123K Provider National Museum of the U S Air Force Retrieved 29 August 2015 https www springhillcamps com experiences summer camps michigan young teens bare URL C 123 Survivors From Operation Ranch Hand Vietnam ABOUT OPERATION RANCH HAND VIETNAM SOUTHEAST ASIA 1961 1971 Retrieved 19 April 2015 Fairchild C 123 Provider Census Oldprops Retrieved 20 April 2015 Green 1967 pp 214 215 Taylor 1969 pp 323 324 Lednicer David The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage m selig ae illinois edu Retrieved 16 April 2019 Bridgman 1958 p 303 Post Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange Contaminated C 123 Aircraft 2015 doi 10 17226 18848 ISBN 978 0 309 30890 8 PMID 26042319 What Happened to C 123 Aircraft Bibliography edit Andrade John U S Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909 Leichester UK Midland Counties Publications 1979 ISBN 0 904597 22 9 Beck Simon D Database Fairchild C 123 Provider Aeroplane February 2022 Vol 50 No 2 pp 115 131 ISSN 0143 7240 Boerschig Jr Charles A Black Spot Special Activities Report Ubon Thailand Black Spot Task Force 1969 Bridgman Leonard Jane s All the World s Aircraft 1958 59 London Sampson Low Marston amp Company Ltd 1958 Davis Larry Gunships A Pictorial History of Spooky Carrollton Texas Squadron Signal Publications 1982 Green William The Observer s Basic Book of Aircraft Military London Frederic Warne 1967 Green William and Gerald Pollinger The Aircraft of the World London Macdonald 1955 Gunston Bill The Encyclopedia of World Air Power New York Crescent Books 1980a ISBN 0 517 53754 0 Gunston Bill ed The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Commercial Aircraft New York Exeter Books 1980b ISBN 978 0 89673 077 9 Gunston Bill The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the World s Modern Military Aircraft London Salamander Books 1977 ISBN 0 86101 010 8 Halliday John T Flying Through Midnight London New Scribner Lisa Drew Book 2007 ISBN 978 0 7432 7488 3 Smith C M History of the Black Spot Task Force 29 July 1968 11 May 1969 Eglin Air Force Base Florida Black Spot Task Force undated Taylor John W R Jane s All The World s Aircraft 1969 70 London Sampson Low Marston amp Company 1969 ISBN 0 354 00051 9 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fairchild C 123 Provider Joe M Jackson s mission in C 123 that earned him a Medal of Honor Page detailing the world s only C 123T Turbo Provider conversion Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fairchild C 123 Provider amp oldid 1220933499, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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