C-123 Provider, one of my very favorite cargo planes due in no small part to watching Air America one too many times as a kid. Also featured in the movie Con Air. But just a beautifully designed airplane, love cargo planes due to the high tails they feature for high pitch takeoff's and rough terrain.
The "Provider" has become my most favorite aircraft also. It was a hidden hero in the shadows of some amazing fascinating history. As far as I know there is only one flyable in the world right now, known as "Thunder Pig". I've been hoping & following the progress of the efforts that the Hagerstown Museum has been working to get a second one flying, but now according to their latest report, it seems that it's likely to end up as a display.
Flew with a guy who flew these during Vietnam, the Phnom Penh Pig Pilots Association, or something like that. Very interesting stories to tell. Would have made a great book.
April 5, 2019---Thanks for the video as it's been a long time since I've even seen one of these and first one moving/landing. Was stationed at Elmendorf 77-79 and at the time was shooting all the active duty aircraft & ex-military aircraft I could. Everything I shot was in slide format. Anyway, remember the number of ex-military stuff at the airport, especially what the Flying Tigers were flying at the time....C-46, C-47 & C-54's, though don't remember if they ever flew C-133's. But there were 2 of them up there at the time. Someone even owned a PURPLE T-6 with gold registration numbers and there was also a B-25. There was a C-123 in Alaska ANG markings parked way off in one of the corners of the base's runway and was told it had been there for years. Later, the guard took it back and has it on display on their base, though don't ever remember them having one in Anchorage at the time.
There was a turboprop version of this plane originally designed for the Royal Thai Air Force known as the C-123T Turbo Provider. I believe they were fitted with the same turboprop engines as the C-130 Hercules (two instead of four), but unfortunately that project got scrapped for some reason.
As a former U.S. Army, paratrooper, I can tell you that, the C-123 aircraft was nothing but a bucket of bolts. In all my jumps from that aircraft, I was scared to death that it was going to fall apart before I jumped out of the damn door.! I was relieved when the C-123 was retired.
My friend used to fly these C-123s running dead bodies out of Vietnam. He said he hated that duty... Things were much better for him when he switched to AC-130s. That plane could shoot 105mm Howitzer shells at the enemy! It was sort of like revenge for him.
I did too. But I was sent to B-52, F, G, D, & H. I was the day shift SOF at UT the day Saigon fell. Wow, what an air show. Does anybody out there remember a U-2 with Vietnamese children sitting on the leading edge from wing tip to wing tip. I wish I had a picture.
The C-123 is my favorite airplane, really wish i could see one fly in person, thing has gone from glider to powered to turboprop to amphibious, learned about the two last idorations i mentioned through a book, full of C-123 pictures and information, i'm always shocked how few people know it exists, or mistake it for a C-130, enjoyed the video
Flew an Air Force C-123 out of Phu Bai RVN to Da Nang. We took off on all power on that short runway and was climbing hard over the water before leveling off.
I bought one from the Australian army in Townsville at auction for 50,000 dollars it needed a lot of work but it still fly's and it's all mine every body hands off I paid for mine 123 Fairchild provider fair and square smart arses from Dane loch I love loose caboose I love main it has roll Royce turbo props with Hercules four prop carbon fibre up grades you steer it from the cabin now and it's all mine straight from the RAAF thank you guys very much others have their eyes on mine so eyes off Dane loch
I amazes me how many arm chair historians have never heard of the C-123 aircraft. This is same aircraft featured in "Air America" movie with Mel Gibson(CIA secret Air force in Laos/Cambodia/1966-1971) . The C-123 and C7 Caribou were probably the last aircraft in USAF inventory that featured radial engine power. Thanks for posting!!
@@waynehigden Thanks for response Wayne; I love the sound of radial aircraft engines and its so rare to hear them anymore. There is Beech 18 twin (P&W 985) that flies over about once a month and I will pause to listen. Have great day.
blastforyou I live in Massachusetts within the landing pattern to LG Hanscom AF Base. I get medi vac helicopter and all kinds of aircraft either landing or taking off all the time. I always stop and listen to especially propeller type engines flying over the house. My AF life also included working on “Super Connies” and they also have a lovely sound of power. Any kind of engines intrigue me when running. One lung hit or miss to modified v-8s get my attention all the time. Hopefully we both survive the pandemic. Good luck.
You better have a big bladder because the bathroom is a black tube in the back by the ramp. Noisey as hell. Not a single bit of insulation. You can tap on the sheet metal from the inside. Slow too, you would swear the cars below are passing you.
As far as I know, there is only one flyable at this time. It is known as "Thunder Pig" & is owned by the "Air Heritage Foundation". It was used in the 2017 Tom Cruise movie "American Made"
@@Bluenose352 - That is awesome. Where can they be found? Ever since all the ones in the Arizona got incinerated (extincted) back in 2010, because of Agent Orange residue, there aren't many options left to restore or maintain one in flying condition. Such a sad situation for the most fascinating airplane I ever learned about.
Am I the only one who thinks the C-123 has enough wing area for another two engines, I mean lose the two radials and the two jets and put four PT-6 turboprop's on it.
C-123 Provider, one of my very favorite cargo planes due in no small part to watching Air America one too many times as a kid. Also featured in the movie Con Air. But just a beautifully designed airplane, love cargo planes due to the high tails they feature for high pitch takeoff's and rough terrain.
The "Provider" has become my most favorite aircraft also. It was a hidden hero in the shadows of some amazing fascinating history. As far as I know there is only one flyable in the world right now, known as "Thunder Pig". I've been hoping & following the progress of the efforts that the Hagerstown Museum has been working to get a second one flying, but now according to their latest report, it seems that it's likely to end up as a display.
I think it was in the movie outbreak too
As a US Army paratrooper in 1961, we made many jumps from a C-123. it looked like a 2 engined version of a C-130. Nice plane.
Flew with a guy who flew these during Vietnam, the Phnom Penh Pig Pilots Association, or something like that. Very interesting stories to tell. Would have made a great book.
Son tremendo eso videos de aviones gigantes .gracias a la tecnologias que esta cada dia mas avanzada.
April 5, 2019---Thanks for the video as it's been a long time since I've even seen one of these and first one moving/landing. Was stationed at Elmendorf 77-79 and at the time was shooting all the active duty aircraft & ex-military aircraft I could. Everything I shot was in slide format. Anyway, remember the number of ex-military stuff at the airport, especially what the Flying Tigers were flying at the time....C-46, C-47 & C-54's, though don't remember if they ever flew C-133's. But there were 2 of them up there at the time. Someone even owned a PURPLE T-6 with gold registration numbers and there was also a B-25. There was a C-123 in Alaska ANG markings parked way off in one of the corners of the base's runway and was told it had been there for years. Later, the guard took it back and has it on display on their base, though don't ever remember them having one in Anchorage at the time.
It is so awesome to see the old 1,2,3,PUNCH , do a STOL. Thanks for the post.
There was a turboprop version of this plane originally designed for the Royal Thai Air Force known as the C-123T Turbo Provider. I believe they were fitted with the same turboprop engines as the C-130 Hercules (two instead of four), but unfortunately that project got scrapped for some reason.
Awesome old airplane! I'd love to have one!
Hope you guys work that out, I just posted the clip for everyone to enjoy Bill's C-123...
one day i will own one. that is my life's mission. she will be named 'loose caboose' and she will be the prettiest thing in the air!
That's a pipe dream
Update Please
@@earlsmall9808 still poor.
I remember this Aircraft from Fairbanks, Alaska and the final trip. They were great men and will always be remembered.
As a former U.S. Army, paratrooper, I can tell you that, the C-123 aircraft was nothing but a bucket of bolts. In all my jumps from that aircraft, I was scared to death that it was going to fall apart before I jumped out of the damn door.! I was relieved when the C-123 was retired.
My friend used to fly these C-123s running dead bodies out of Vietnam. He said he hated that duty... Things were much better for him when he switched to AC-130s. That plane could shoot 105mm Howitzer shells at the enemy! It was sort of like revenge for him.
I did too. But I was sent to B-52, F, G, D, & H. I was the day shift SOF at UT the day Saigon fell. Wow, what an air show. Does anybody out there remember a U-2 with Vietnamese children sitting on the leading edge from wing tip to wing tip. I wish I had a picture.
The C-123 is my favorite airplane, really wish i could see one fly in person, thing has gone from glider to powered to turboprop to amphibious, learned about the two last idorations i mentioned through a book, full of C-123 pictures and information, i'm always shocked how few people know it exists, or mistake it for a C-130, enjoyed the video
Didn't know any old Bookies got turboprops. I flew them out of Saigon and DaNang
Hi Vern,
Many Thanks for posting! Great Video! Yes Wild Bill and the others are missed, not just in Chisana!
Regards,
Lars
Old school, dirt strip, textbook landing. There are some joyous things happening outside of cities.
Onde é isso, Chisana?!
Thanks for uploading it, Vern ! - Do you have any More footage of it? would be nice.
Great sound!
Flew an Air Force C-123 out of Phu Bai RVN to Da Nang. We took off on all power on that short runway and was climbing hard over the water before leveling off.
I bought one from the Australian army in Townsville at auction for 50,000 dollars it needed a lot of work but it still fly's and it's all mine every body hands off I paid for mine 123 Fairchild provider fair and square smart arses from Dane loch I love loose caboose I love main it has roll Royce turbo props with Hercules four prop carbon fibre up grades you steer it from the cabin now and it's all mine straight from the RAAF thank you guys very much others have their eyes on mine so eyes off Dane loch
thanks for the picture.i like it
119 and 123 toughest machine built
beutiful video! the c-123 is one of my favourite aircraft.
But the small plane parking near the runway is a cessna 180?
That is the realization of the life I always dreamed about.
Great plane! Butt-kicker to jump though. You're pretty close to those engines when you go out the door.
I amazes me how many arm chair historians have never heard of the C-123 aircraft. This is same aircraft featured in "Air America" movie with Mel Gibson(CIA secret Air force in Laos/Cambodia/1966-1971) . The C-123 and C7 Caribou were probably the last aircraft in USAF inventory that featured radial engine power. Thanks for posting!!
Worked a whole year back 68-69 on the VC-123”White Whale”at TSN Vietnam. Sent it back to the states to get the J-Pods added to make it a “K” model.
@@waynehigden Thanks for response Wayne; I love the sound of radial aircraft engines and its so rare to hear them anymore. There is Beech 18 twin (P&W 985) that flies over about once a month and I will pause to listen. Have great day.
blastforyou I live in Massachusetts within the landing pattern to LG Hanscom AF Base. I get medi vac helicopter and all kinds of aircraft either landing or taking off all the time. I always stop and listen to especially propeller type engines flying over the house. My AF life also included working on “Super Connies” and they also have a lovely sound of power. Any kind of engines intrigue me when running. One lung hit or miss to modified v-8s get my attention all the time. Hopefully we both survive the pandemic. Good luck.
Do you have a video of an Antonov AN-2 landing at Chisana? Great video by the way!
I've never see one of this; when I flew into Vasa Finland, saw a C47 there, likely an embassy plane (1959)
Landed these at fifty bases in Vietnam ...Good old Bookie Bird
Yes, this is Bill in a C123,,, he will be missed in Chisana, as well as the rest of Alaska...
I knew John that was also on the plane with Bill. We worked together I’m the slope a long time ago.
Believe it or not, this airplane was originally designed as a glider....
beautiful aircraft
thx for uploading
when was that ?
Maravilloso
Where is that airport?
Is that strip called Tango 7?
ROK Korea had many of these and tweets all kinds of former U.S A.F aircraft. 1983-85 who knows what they have now.
this is the plane that was in the movie..."Con Air"
Astonishing history reminder glance
@BOYCOT4YT oh dear goodness
Fancy seeing you here
my dad said they landed in all kinds of places they were not suppossed to be everyday
สุดยอด
Ah, I want to fly it!!!
You better have a big bladder because the bathroom is a black tube in the back by the ramp. Noisey as hell. Not a single bit of insulation. You can tap on the sheet metal from the inside. Slow too, you would swear the cars below are passing you.
Got to fly them to 50 bases in Vietnam -- Great bird
"Welcome to Con Air!"
This was 1 of the 4 planes used in the movie Con Air. Shame to hear what happened to it.
Bradley De Santa
It's amazing that the plane was created by a Russian born engineer.
To bad this aircraft and crew was lost in accident. NTSB report N709RR 1 AUG 2010
Looks like the one from the movie 'conair.'
That’s because it is. This was the plane used in the flying scenes.
How many -123s are flying, and still available?
As far as I know, there is only one flyable at this time. It is known as "Thunder Pig" & is owned by the "Air Heritage Foundation". It was used in the 2017 Tom Cruise movie "American Made"
@@whawaii I found two others as well, but they aren't flown as much as Thunder Pig. There are a few for sale. If only....
@@Bluenose352 - That is awesome. Where can they be found?
Ever since all the ones in the Arizona got incinerated (extincted) back in 2010, because of Agent Orange residue, there aren't many options left to restore or maintain one in flying condition. Such a sad situation for the most fascinating airplane I ever learned about.
@@whawaii I saw them on Barnstormers not too long ago. I can try to get a link for you. Keep in mind, they'll be projects
So I guess this takes jet fuel and 100LL for the different engines? Kind of weird having to need both to refuel.
Hey I think those jets ran on 100LL - specially modified... I think.
Turbines burn anything
The J-85s were only used during take-off as a boost. Since they were only run for a short duration, they ran them on the same fuel as the R-2800s.
cool
@mrsmelzbad also in air America
2020 hype
THUNDERPIG
Air America flashbacks
Am I the only one who thinks the C-123 has enough wing area for another two engines, I mean lose the two radials and the two jets and put four PT-6 turboprop's on it.
excellent
@bennyworldwide ...it's in Chisana "ALASKA" benny,,, not China...
The year this was posted the population in Chisana was 0.
baby herc