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Description
| Manufacturer: | Fairchild | |
| Base model: | C-123 | |
| Designation: | C-123 | |
| Version: | B | |
| Nickname: | Provider | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1962 | |
| Basic role: | Transport | |
Specifications
| Length: | 75' 9" | 23.0 m | |
| Height: | 34' 1" | 10.3 m | |
| Wingspan: | 110' | 33.5 m | |
| Wingarea: | 1,223.0 sq ft | 113.6 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 29,900 lb | 13,560 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 71,000 lb | 32,199 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Pratt & Whitney R-2800-99W & 2 2850Lb J85-GE | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 2300 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 1,470 miles | 2,367 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 205 mph | 330 km/h | 178 kt |
| Max Speed: | 245 mph | 394 km/h | 212 kt |
| Climb: | 1,150 ft/min | 350 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 29,000 ft | 8,838 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Museum of Aviation | Warner Robins AFB | Georgia |
| Olympic Flight Museum | Olympia | Washington |
| Pima Air & Space Museum | Tucson | Arizona |
C-123B on display
Olympic Flight Museum | Pima Air & Space Museum |
Recent comments by our visitors
| John Limbach Billings, MT | I was a loadmaster on C-123B and C-123K from 1967-1968 with the 19th Air Commando Squadron at Tan Son Nhut AB, RVN. We were the first squadron to transistion for the "B" to the "K". As I recall, our routine battle damage during takeoff declined immediately by 80% or so. In the "B", you could get off the ground in fairly short order but with a good load of cargo on board it had barely any climb performance at all. The result was that you were struggling along in ground effect for several miles, wings level, trying to build up enough airspeed to turn and/or climb. Needless to say, the bad guys had a field day punching holes in the old "Spam Can". The "K" was a totally different kettle of fish. The addition of the two J-85 jets gave it almost double the power of just the two recips. The net result was that you could honk it off about 70 Kts, roll it up into a 45-60 degree bank and climb out over the runway at 1,000 / 1,500 feet per minute. Needless to say, we aircrews ADORED the "K" model. Overall, the C-123 was the best machine for the mission over there. At least off the paved runways, or off the runways for that matter. I can remember running assault operations into wide spots (50') of dirt roads and landing in a jungle clearing in Cambodia in 1967 (yes, I know we weren't "there" then, but that's another whole story). Not a more reliable or tougher machine out there.
I spent 25 years in the Air Force as a loadmaster on C-119, C-123, C-124, and C-130s and am still flying today as a loadmaster and occasional copilot on a C-130A. If you're interested in some of the things we're doing with it, have a look at this site: www.1370th.org/rc130/512/512.htm I can honestly say that if I had to fly in combat again I would choose the C-123 for many reasons. John Limbach CMSgt USAF (Ret'd.) 06/21/2008 @ 09:19 [ref: 21568] |
| Keith Mattox Atlanta, GA | I am the Brother of Capt. Dwaine E. Mattox. Dwaine was stationed at Phang-Rang late Sept-August 10 1970. On August 10, 1970, due to flap bracket metal fatigue, his C123 crashed on approach at Cam Rahn Bay. Dwaine and three other American Heroes gave the ultimate sacrifice that day. The load-master survived, but several years ago passed away, after living his final years as an invalid.
You may think this odd, but this is what I'm asking of you all. I would like a photo of the actual C123 that took his life. S/N 55-4527 I have searched the internet to the end, but have not found any photos/videos of this S/N. If ANYONE has a photo of this actual plane, any year, any date, please e-mail to me. Also, If you have any personal contact or info about my Brother or the accident, please inform. God Bless You and thank you for what you have done for our country. Keith Mattox keithlol@comcast.net 11/16/2007 @ 13:54 [ref: 18564] |
| John Dunn Seaford, VA | I worked on C-123s and Ranch Hand aircraft at Tan Son Nuht AB in 65 and 66. I was in the Hydraulic shop and got to fly in them a few times. We called them spam cans. 11/09/2007 @ 08:34 [ref: 18473] |
| Ed Bergeron Mandeville, LA | I was assigned as a "Bookie" pilot in the 309th SOS @ Phan Rang AB, RVN for the year of 1969. While there I lived in "Singapore 626". The C-123 "Provider" was a great airplane to fly, extremely versatile and very forgiving. In November 1969 I brought one back to CONUS, flying as a co-pilot with "Trey" Smith. I continued to Fly C-123's @ Hurlburt Field, FL until August 1972.
Ed Bergeron ebstork@i-55.com 05/28/2007 @ 07:04 [ref: 16639] |
| Tom Reiter Yorba Linda, CA | I flew "Bookies" at Phan Rang AB RVN for a year in 1969/70 as an First/Instructor pilot. Coming to the C-123 as a B-52G Co-pilot, I learned a lot about "flying" in a very short time. It was an interesting year, with great fellow aviators flying a great airplane. I brought one back to the CONUS at the end of my tour. Lot of water in the Pacific Ocean at 10,000' and 140 knots. 04/08/2007 @ 09:49 [ref: 16132] |
| Sal Eagle River, AK | The photo here at the bottom in Arctic Markings is of an AK ANG (144th ATS(medium)) C-123J not a C-123B. 03/20/2007 @ 03:35 [ref: 15962] |
| Robert Sullivan Caney, OK | I was with the 377th TCS when it went from Ardmore to Dreux France, I was an engine mechanic on both the C-123 & The C-119 stationed at Dreux
The 123 was a drean to work on compared to the C-119 with R-3350 turbo compounds as well as the R-4360 The C-123 was exciting to ride in when doing assault landings, and the aferward Retracion test from landing geaar damage lol 09/19/2006 @ 07:51 [ref: 14216] |
| Jim Fiocca Wildwood, NJ | I worked on the engines of the C-123 at the 464 CAM Sqd. located at Pope AFB, NC from 1961/1964 ... short tours with the C-123's in 'Nam 1962/63. [ in fact Pope was the first base to send C-123's to "Nam. ] This was a great plane, easy to work on and very dependable ... I'm surprised that it is not given more credit for the work it has accomplished.
I am looking for a model of the C-123 and if possible photo's of it's service in Viet-Nam during the early years from 1962 ... Anyone who was stationed at Pope AFB from 1961/1966 feel free to e-mail me... Thanks Jim 10/16/2005 @ 19:52 [ref: 11488] |
| Will , AZ | I onced smacked Neil Diamond in the mouth after landing. 08/17/2005 @ 16:01 [ref: 11011] |
| Gary D. Simmons Ardmore, OK | The first C-123Bs received by the USAF were flown by the 309th Troop Carrier Group at Ardmore Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The history of this event and the introduction of the USAF's first C-130A at Ardmore can be viewed at http://www.brightok.net/~gsimmons (Ardmore Army Air Field/Ardmore Air Force Base). If you or a relative served here and can furnish historical information about the base that might be included on the site, please contact gsimmons@brightok.net 12/09/2004 @ 18:25 [ref: 8828] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
