engineerd
Fairchild C-123 Provider "Big Lou"
Designed by Chase Aircraft and built by Fairchild Aircraft, the C-123 is a cargo plane used by both the US Air Force and Coast Guard. Strangely, it was originally designed as an assault glider and was designated the XCG-20. Two powered variants were also designed, one with P&W R-2800-99W radial engines with 2300 hp, and the other with GE J47-GE-11 turbojets producing 5200 lb of thrust.
Designed for ruggedness and reliability, the C-123 was to provide troop transport on small, unimproved airstrips. Therefore, the turbojets were dropped for fear they would ingest foreign objects.
The C-123 was used in Vietnam, including in the Operation Ranch Hand defoliation campaign. It served as a VIP aircraft as well as a Special Ops aircraft providing lighting for other aircraft and as an armed night-time patrol aircraft.
This one is currently undergoing restoration at the Valiant Air Command museum in Titusville, FL.
Fairchild C-123 Provider "Big Lou"
Designed by Chase Aircraft and built by Fairchild Aircraft, the C-123 is a cargo plane used by both the US Air Force and Coast Guard. Strangely, it was originally designed as an assault glider and was designated the XCG-20. Two powered variants were also designed, one with P&W R-2800-99W radial engines with 2300 hp, and the other with GE J47-GE-11 turbojets producing 5200 lb of thrust.
Designed for ruggedness and reliability, the C-123 was to provide troop transport on small, unimproved airstrips. Therefore, the turbojets were dropped for fear they would ingest foreign objects.
The C-123 was used in Vietnam, including in the Operation Ranch Hand defoliation campaign. It served as a VIP aircraft as well as a Special Ops aircraft providing lighting for other aircraft and as an armed night-time patrol aircraft.
This one is currently undergoing restoration at the Valiant Air Command museum in Titusville, FL.