NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The Fairchild C-123 Provider is known for its toughness and ability to fly in and out of short landing strips. Ground crews appreciate its dependability and ease of maintenance. C-123 aircraft have even been equipped with skis and operated successfully in the northern latitudes.
The aircraft have served with the U.S.A.F., the U.S.C.G. and in the military of a number of foreign countries. The U.S. Coast Guard used the Provider, equipped with a special radar, primarily for S&R missions. They were also used to train paratroopers for the U.S. Army. In 1958 and 1959 the C-123 Provider supported operations by the U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds aerobatic air team.
The origins of the aircraft trace back to the 1940's. It was then that what was to become the Fairchild C-123 Provider was first conceived as an unpowered transport capable of carrying large numbers of troops. It was intended that the aircraft would be towed by a large powered airplane towards a landing area where it would be released to glide in for a landing.
The concept never got past the prototype phase.
In 1949 a pair of engines were fitted to the aircraft and it became the C-123 cargo and troop airlifter.
Eventually a pair of jet engines were added, supplementing the piston engines, and greatly increasing performance.
Between 1958 and 1966 the Strategic Air Command used some sixty C-123 Provider aircraft to supply their most remote bases. In addition to troop and materials transportation, the Provider could also be used for medical air services. It could carry up to fifty litters and medical personnel.
C-123 Providers were used during the Vietnam war as transports, medevac aircraft, and to spray Agent Orange. Some aircraft were equipped with special radars, and armed with cluster bombs. These were used in night operations, primarily against trucks and other vehicles on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and boats in the Mekong Delta.
After the Vietnam War, C-123 aircraft went on to serve with the U.S.A.N.G and U.S.A.F. reserved units through 1985. They were used for humanitarian aid around the world, plus insect control in Alaska, Brazil, El Salvador, Guam, and Venezuela.
A total of 302 Fairchild C-123 aircraft were produced. A number continue to fly as commercial freight haulers to this date.
Pictured above is the giant scale C-123 Provider rc being built by The.Yonk from Thailand. You can find the build threat at RC Universe. It is 1/10 scale with a wingspan of 120". Construction materials are balsa, ply and fiberglass. Weight is anticipated to be around 22 lbs.
Dan Palmer has plans of the rc C-123 Provider with a 9.2 foot wingspan and a 6.3 foot length. It is of all wood construction. A pair of O.S. Max .61 engines are recommended to power the giant scale model airplane. Weight is around 14 1/2 lbs. Plans or kits are for sale at Precision Cut Kits. It is in the first picture below.
The next picture is of the rc C-123 Provider EP scratch built by Sergio Vergara. It has a wingspan of 71 1/2", with a length of 49", weighs around 6 lbs. and is made from balsa and plywood. Sergio uses a pair of AXI 990 Kv motors to power the scale rc airplane.
The third picture below is of a Kit Cutters giant scale C-123 Provider built from their kit made from Palmer Plans. Its wingspan is 110", length is 76" and weight is about 15 lbs. You will need from .61 to .72 two cycle engines for power.
C-123 Provider
