3/20/2023 0 Comments Ifart patch air forceStandard Providers flew night flare dropping missions to expose enemy attacks. The CIA's Air America also operated about 35 C-123s in Laos.Ĭ-123s sometimes flew other types of missions. Their relatively large cargo hold and excellent short field performance made them essential to holding these widely-scattered bases. Providers constantly flew troops and supplies to small, dirt airstrips at isolated bases in South Vietnam. By the fall of 1964, there were four USAF C-123B squadrons in Vietnam flying airlift and airdrop missions. Shortly after, a squadron of standard C-123Bs arrived to provide mobility to the South Vietnamese Army. ![]() In January 1962, the first of many Providers were sent to South Vietnam to start the Ranch Hand defoliant program. The C-123's most important service, however, was during the Southeast Asia War. Other C-123Bs and C-123Js supplied USAF sites in arctic regions from the late 1950s into the mid-1970s. Providers entered service with the USAF's 309th Troop Carrier Group (Assault) in 1955, and this unit conducted several practice combat landings with U.S. These jet engines increased the C-123's payload weight by a third, shortened its takeoff distance, improved its climb rate, and gave a much greater margin of safety should one of the piston engines fail. Chase began manufacturing the C-123B in 1953, but the contract was transferred to Fairchild, which built about 300 C-123Bs.īetween 19, 184 C-123Bs were converted to C-123Ks with the addition of two J85 jet engines. ![]() A second prototype was built as the unpowered XG-20 glider. The prototype XC-123, basically a glider powered by two piston engines, made its initial flight in 1949. just after World War II, the C-123 evolved from earlier large assault glider designs. Air Force airlift during the Southeast Asia War, where it flew primarily as an in-theater airlifter and a Ranch Hand sprayer.ĭesigned by the Chase Aircraft Co. The rugged C-123 became an essential part of U.S. The Provider was a short-range assault transport used for airlifting troops and cargo to and from small, unprepared airstrips.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |