Only the one turbojet-powered test and evaluation version was built. There was also no practical speed advantage due to the wing and fuselage design, and a drastic reduction in range. While the piston-powered XC-123 was initially well-regarded for tactical transport for its ruggedness and reliability, and its ability to operate from short and unimproved airstrips, the turbojet-powered XC-123A – designed for high-speed transport between USAF bases for critical parts and personnel – was found unable to operate from short and rough airstrips. The XC-123A also has the distinction, while only experimental, of being the USAF first jet-powered military transport. The XC-123 used two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-23 air-cooled radial piston engines, while the XC-123A was fitted with four General Electric J47-GE-11 turbojets, in two pods. The only difference between the two was the type of engines used. The C-123 Provider was designed originally as an assault glider aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Chase Aircraft as the XCG-20 (Chase designation MS-8 Avitruc) Two powered variants of the XCG-20 were developed during the early 1950s, as the XC-123 and XC-123A. During the War in Vietnam, the C-123 was used to deliver supplies, to evacuate the wounded, and also used to spray Agent Orange.ĭesign and development A Chase XG-20 glider, which was later converted to the XC-123A prototype. Coast Guard and various air forces in Southeast Asia. In addition to its USAF service, which included later service with the Air Force Reserve and the Air National Guard, it also went on to serve most notably with the U.S. The Fairchild C-123 Provider is an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and then built by Fairchild Aircraft for the U.S.
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