Fairchild C-123K Provider
Fairchild · United States · first flew 1949 · transport aircraft
The Fairchild C-123 Provider is an American twin-engine tactical assault transport that served extensively in Vietnam, known for its STOL performance and the UC-123 Agent Orange defoliation missions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large upswept rear fuselage with ramp |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Twin-radial high-wing assault transport
- Auxiliary jet pods under wings on K variant
- Large upswept rear fuselage with ramp
A high-wing transport with twin radial engines, a deep upswept fuselage with rear ramp, and on the K variant, small jet pods hanging below the wings — an unusual mixed-power configuration.
Specifications
- The Fairchild C-123K Provider has a length of 23.09 m (76 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 33.53 m (110 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 367 km/h (228 mph).
- Typical crew: 3-4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally developed by Chase Aircraft as a glider-derived assault transport, the C-123 was powered by two radial piston engines. The C-123K variant added two auxiliary GE J85 jet engines in underwing pods to improve performance from short strips.
Variants
The C-123B was the main piston variant; C-123K added jet pods; UC-123K was the Ranch Hand defoliation aircraft; AC-123K was an experimental gunship.
Where you'll see it
The USAF operated C-123s extensively in Vietnam for assault airlift, Ranch Hand defoliation operations, and Special Operations missions; the type was retired in 1970.
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- Fairchild C-119C Flying Boxcar
- Fairchild C-123 Provider
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- Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
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- Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
- Douglas C-124C Globemaster II
- Grumman CSR-110 Albatross
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