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5050 Santa Fe Drive • Atwater, California • 95301
Fairchild C-123K Provider
MUSEUM HOURS
May 1- October 31
9:00am - 5:00pm
November 1 - April 30
10:00am - 4:00pm
The museum is open
daily year round,
except for the
following days:
New Year's Day,
Easter,
Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
The Fairchild C-123 Provider was a rugged aircraft that served in many different roles. It served as troop carrier, med-evac aircraft and even as a gunship. It provided much of the in-country transport in Vietnam and Cambodia, carrying all kinds of cargo, including livestock.
The Provider borrowed its basic design from a cargo glider, though the design was always intended to be eventually powered. The C-123K conversion added two jet engine pods under the wings. It has an aft cargo ramp through which the aircraft's cargo was loaded.
In 1962, the U.S. Air Force began Operation Ranch Hand, in which the Agent Orange defoliant was used. Its purpose was to expose the trails used by the Viet Cong to supply their troops in the jungle. One of these Providers crashed in February 1962. Its crew of three were killed, becoming the first U.S. Air Force members to lose their lives in the conflict.
The aircraft on display at Castle Air Museum started its life as a C-123B version which entered service in November 1956. In 1967, it was modified to a C-123K version. During its life, it served with the Tactical Air Command, the Air Defense Command, and the Air Force Logistics Command. In 1972, it was transferred to the U.S. Air Force Reserve until its retirement in 1980.
Specifications
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Fairchild Engine & Airplane Corporation (Fairchild Aviation)
Role/Function: Assault Transport
Serial Number: 55-4512
Model Number/Mk. #: Model 205
Crew: 2 + 50 Passengers, or 24,000 lbs. cargo.
Power Plant: 2 - 2,500 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-99W radial engines and 2 - General Electric J85-GE-17 turbojets, 2,850 lbf (13 kN) each.
Maximum Speed: 240 mph. with jets
Cruising Speed: 228 mph.
Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft.
Range: 1,340 mi.
Weights: Empty: 35,366 lbs. Maximum: 60,000 lbs.
Wing Span: 110 ft.
Length: 76 ft. 3 in.
Height: 34 ft. 1 in.
Wing Area: 1,223 ft² (113.6 m²)
Armament: None. 2 - M61 Vulcan 20 mm cannons (AC-119K variant)
Cost: n/a
# Built: 183 converted from C-123Bs.
# in Current Service: Retired from U.S. Military in 1990.
