Air Heritage Fairchild C-123K Thunder Pig - Maneuvers and Landings

First time at the controls of a C-123. Did some steep turns, stalls, single engine approaches, and landings. Many thanks to the fine folks at Air Heritage. Check them out at www.AirHeritage.org

[@puterausman7682]

I love the sound of the engines...

[@wolfgangthrun2507]

was a loadmaster and Dropmaster on C119, C123, C124 and C130 from 1956- 1960, enjoyed every minute of it

[@captaincrunch8523]

Have little over a thousand hrs as a flight mech [FE] on C119G's. Worked jumps at Pope AFB and Benning .Always had a load master for equipment. As you;I loved it

[@robertcombs55]

caught several hops on these aircraft on my tour in Vietnam 1968-69.

[@mebeasensei]

Which of these aircraft did you lot prefer to be moved around on? Which felt safest? Or was it the location rather than the aircraft? You had the Carabou, the C130? And then helicopters too?

[@woodboybob]

Me too. 1967-1968

[@normanbrunt2053]

I enjoyed this video. It was like being in the cockpit.

[@dswiger]

I remember my 1st ride after arrival at Cam Ranh Bay. I was being transported to Nha Trang. The ramp remained down, they had JATO assist & the AOA over the end of the runway was very steep (military takeoff). Very loud and rough. Later would get rides in C-130s in-country and occasionally in an O-1 and O-2 FAC birds to get out to my FOB.

[@saschaffer]

What a machine. Thanks for the video.

[@HerkCC]

Glad to see Bill in action again. One hell of a pilot!

[@RoonVonBismarck]

I remember my grandfather telling me about the experiences his army veteran friends had on this aircraft. ROK army operated providers into the 80's and they eventually became unreliable as time passed, and one aircraft suffered double engine failure right after takeoff, but the pilot pushed on with its 2 jets and managed to make it to its destination. That was only possible because the aircraft had almost nothing except its own fuel aboard.

[@meyersculimbrene9478]

I was a reserve pilot. The 2800 engine did not run unless the fuel mixture was set correctly and if the ADI was set for max taxoff, when it ran out which was shortly after take off, everything would get quiet because the GE 85 aux jets would be the only power left. The pilots needed to get the big radials working if the plane was heavy. And it never happened to me, but one of the other reserve pilots. The first time I saw a 123 I was in pilot training, with an IP. I said it was the ugliest AC I had ever seen. He had just completed a tour as a 123 pilot in NAM. He said you get to love the AC you are flying. I loved making short field take offs with enough power. Not like a fully loaded Tanker that needed a two mile runway.

[@ralphsneakers]

My father-in-law, Raymond Vialpando (RIP) was a flight engineer in the 'nam. He always referred to them as LSMFT's. He had some great stories and spoke very highly of his pilot whom he called 'Commando Clean.' Said he wouldnt fly with any other.

[@stevemoore12]

This looks like such a wonderful airplane to fly.

[@jimhallmark8680]

we had a C123 we called "RED NOSE" , it was our weekly mail run in the jungle.

[@earlsmall9808]

Wasn't that a Carabou called the "Santaboo)?

[@zawzawaung6789]

The ROKS kept flying these until they bought new C-130s in 1988. I jumped these many times with their ABN committee. The side doors were off and stowed back on the tail gate for TO. The loudest noise I ever heard was when they ran up the engines for magneto check AND lit off the jets. The side doors were cut in such a way as you could see nicely underneath and see the DZ panels coming up pretty well. The ROKS had a lot of old junk they still flew back then. A couple of EC-47s ("Candle"), some C-123s for PSYOPS ("Bitches"), and a beautifully preserved C-54 in VIP configuration. I got to ride in that out to Paekryeongdo, where it landed on hard mud flats during low tide.

[@alexhaase7350]

I spent 1970 and 71 in the K model at Phan Rang, Saigon and Na Trang. Lost engines. always a ,R 2800, got shot at, but had on hell of a lot of fun. More than in the previous and later 35 years doing the same commercially. I'm sorry to never have gotten a ride in later years. Getting the beast stopped in less than 2000 feet on 50 foot wide runway was for the young at heart.

[@guaporeturns9472]

That’s cool , thank you. What about the R-2800? I’m not following you.

[@PacoOtis]

Many people think the C-130 was the workhorse in Vietnam but in III and IV Corps we never saw anything but the noisy 123 and it was horribly noisy with those jet assists. But, it appeared to do everything they ever wanted!

[@earlsmall9808]

We did our best to support you.

[@davidbagwell3634]

Banking the hell out of it at around the 2:15 mark. Looks like she’s going to stall! Great job.

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

I was a C-123 Loadmaster at Tan Son Nhut, 19th Special Ops, (WE birds), ‘68 & ‘69. Coming off C-141’s to these was like trading a Mercedes for a Trabant. I have photos that prove the 123 was originally designed as a glider.

[@earlsmall9808]

Atta boy! I was a copilot in 70-71

[@rubenomarbueno1134]

Todo un avion pionero . Su rampa de cola para carga se uso luego en el C-130 y después en todos los aviones de carga del mundo .

[@guaporeturns9472]

I’m guessing you liked the 141 better?

[@harleyb.birdwhisperer]

@@guaporeturns9472 Well, the C-141 probably did more damage to my ears, but it was sure a classier ride and went to a lot better places.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@harleyb.birdwhisperer 👍🏻

[@Rocketman88002]

No JATO? My ride was a rocket takeoff from Phu Bai. A 1st Lt was driving and he gave me the best thrill to this day in an airplane. The 123 I believe, was one of two of the oldest U.S. military transport planes in Vietnam. Nice video and great sounds!

[@1956MercM260]

What a sound!

[@earlsmall9808]

R-2800s sing

[@brettlloyd4446]

There were c123s in movies air america, operation dumbo drop and con air. Great plane

[@Legoflymaster89]

Also Die Hard 2, Outbreak, The General's Daughter and American Made. Even made a small appearance in Bad Boys

[@flymacseamus3474]

This is joyful

[@silvinoabraao5289]

I liked the sound of the engines, it reminds me of a buggy car with a grasshopper! He travels on the airplane sound with his eyes closed!

[@earlsmall9808]

R 2800s sing

[@wllcrk]

I tried to get a flight whenever I would make a run because the 123 had a thick wooden floor in the cargo bay. Ground fire was. Always a problem. One bad thing about the aircraft is that the windows leak and the brakes don't always work and the heaters blew cold air. Paul Craig Vietnam 1965-66

[@john-bloss]

Don’t remember the wooden flooring. Definitely metal with tie downs for pallets by ‘69. But you’re right, everything leaked and firing up the heater pretty much qualified as a suicide attempt.

[@Rocketman88002]

@wllcrk, Welcome Home!

[@billbargar2284]

Alot of fantastic history

[@michaelthomas7178]

The old sow sure sounds good.

[@desdenova69]

Flew over my house today on its way back to PA.

[@semco72057]

The CIA as well as the Air Force used the C-123's during the Vietnam War, but it was one airplane I never got to fly on, even though I got to fly on the C-47, and several other older aircraft during that era.

[@olentangy74]

Sidney Mathious The CIA used these is South America in the 80,s also.

[@mikewader43]

Flew on the c 123 and also jumped the c 123. Rough ride but a hell of a plane.

[@earlsmall9808]

When?

[@jackjuhasz533]

I took off in many of these beauties ,but never landed in one ! 7th special forces 1966

[@VIKINGHUN]

I made three jumps from a C-123. We could barely hear each other in the cargo bay. Thanks....

[@williamedmonds9581]

Wish I could get my O-2A restoration completed and then fly formation with that C-123.

[@chrismarasovich5924]

So cool they are flying at my airport, YNG !

[@billbargar2284]

Great flying

[@chrismarasovich5924]

Any way I can fly the c-123k? I have 14000 tt, 10,000 turbojet

[@roarmanaj1266]

Chris Marasovich well considering this is the only C-123 flying, sadly your chances are slim to none

[@vanhoangnguyen1019]

Love it !

[@chelleramos6321]

My Country's Air Force ( Philippine Air Force) operates the C-123 Provider from 1975-1980, only 5 years because PAF acquired the much bigger C-130 Hercules

[@john-bloss]

It had, I recall, for some unknown reason the largest fuel gauge on the planet (although I don’t see it here). I do see that it still has those state-of-the-art AOA indicators though. I make fun here, but they were bloody useful. Not a beauty pageant winner, but at the time a great battle worthy airplane.

[@guaporeturns9472]

Is it normal for both pilots to have hands on the yoke/stick at the same time? Seems like that could lead to problems?

[@Vanadeo]

Did they simulate an engine out on the last landing?.. Noticed the no:1 RPMS were dropped and only using no:2 throttle.

[@martinleicht5911]

GR8 VID !! 👍

[@pauljames5914]

Are those props similar to the ones on the B 36? They sound and kind of look the same.

[@ericohara2582]

Very, very nice, thank you... Sub'd :)

[@robert28111]

How come they both have hands on the yokes and throttles at the same time. I don't know about flying but it seems like it could be a battle over control haha

[@johnklar5131]

Robert Trotter Standard procedure in all aircraft. The same is done on that brand new 787 you see taking off.

[@timmayer8723]

Robert Trotter the co pilot has a very light hold on his yoke and it puts his hands closer to the instrument panel and all the other controls. This is not necessary with modern day auto pilot systems. The FAA is even thinking of certifying civilian aircraft without pilots. No pilot aircraft are common in the military.

[@patpatterson6214]

@@johnklar5131 I was a C-123 pilot in Viet Nam. On takeoff, the co-pilot had his hands on the throttles to "back up the pilot" to make sure the pilot does not over-boost the engines as he runs up the power for takeoff. Our technique in the C-123 was that the copilot would reach over and tap the pilot's hand when takeoff power was reached. At any rate, the copilot lightly "guarded" the throttles on takeoff and landing.... also in case the pilot was suddenly incapacitated during a critical phase of flight.... it was a was zone, after all. In fact "all hands on throttles" on take offs and landings was the standard procedure in all the multi-engine airplanes I have flown.

[@earlsmall9808]

Me too brother, out of Saigon and Danang.

[@robert28111]

@@patpatterson6214 thankyou for the info appreciate it. I love these planes no idea why, they just seem cool. Thankyou for being there and doing what you did.

[@androidemulator6952]

I;m seeing Mel Gibson and Robert Downet Jr. in Air America - also a C123??

[@pascalchauvet7625]

Could a fully loaded Fairchild C-123 Provider maintain height on one engine?

[@hmaletha1706]

How can we book for

[@JDLamps1]

Built like a tank

[@ralphsneakers]

Not really. My father-in-law, while serving in 'nam as an FE, saved a young soldiers life after a bullet came through his troop seat and into his ass, which left him paralyzed. They gave my F-I-L the Flying Cross for his action that day! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@TheCannonofMohammed]

take it to alaska and put it to work!

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

There were several of them here in Alaska and they worked great but since the Mining and Exploration businesses have been slaughtered in the past 8 years there is no work for them, same with our C119 here.

[@brucehobbs1734]

Where good planes go to die.

[@genana4541]

@reverse thrust Lockheed Martin Corporation - the killer of Michael Stroukoff’s company (C-123 manufacturer)

[@jamesboaz4787]

Ehem, what ya haulin?

[@user-fv1nh8mw9i]

WOW !!!!

[@warrenkarlsson7091]

A commentary would have been better to explain what was going on in the cockpit

[@westerlywinds5684]

It looks a bit like a flying city bus.

[@B757767Driver]

Centerline on takeoff 🛫

[@Johnofsulphur]

soak in the AGENT ORANGE! Grandpa must not need Gloves!

[@ralphcraig5816]

Flew on a tanker/sprayer, only passenger, tanks were empty. I was not happy to be around even the empty tanks. Agent Orange was a horrible mistake. I'm seen miles and miles of defoliated jungle, just disgusting...

[@johnklar5131]

john rytkonen The Agent Orange aircraft were all retired to a highly secure area at Davis-Monthan AFB. This one never was used for those missions.

[@kenclark9888]

John Klar is there any documentation on that where one could read about it.? The govt could say one thing and do another

[@earlsmall9808]

Thank You@@johnklar5131

[@snowman374th]

Looks like you're barely moving. KooL

[@user-me2ui7yg5t]

Air America

[@taketimeout2share]

To think they used to pay people to fly those.

[@dad5650]

Is anybody feeling nauseous yet?

[@timmayer8723]

Glide ratio?? It don't need no stinkin glide ratio. Kidding aside, a really efficient glider has a 23:1 glide ratio. This porker loaded probably has a 4:1 glide ratio.

[@patpatterson6214]

The C-123 was designed as a glider. It still had the tubular structure in the nose and a round cover plate on the nose where the tow mechanism was inserted. Of course it was never used as a glider. Two jets were put on the C-123 for short field work in Viet Nam....and it became the C-123K. It would jump off the ground and climb like hell for a couple of thousand feet. We routinely flew into 2000 feet dirt, PSP, and aluminum plate runways in Viet Nam. PSP and aluminum was slick as snot when muddy and wet.. well and so was dirt. Great airplane, but the loudest I have ever flown.

[@timmayer8723]

Pat Patterson in times of budget constraints, Uncle Sam has no problem jury rigging equipment they already have in inventory. Or using some dud aircraft, like the Brewster Buffalo as a front line fighter. They were shot out of the sky on a regular basis. With a corresponding loss of trained fighter pilots. Uncle Sam finally used them for target practice until the rest were junked.

[@lynnkramer1211]

I was greatly disappointed not to see anything of the aircraft just some bald guy in a jump suit. Thumb down. You can do better.

[@ledzep152]

Sounds good Karen.

[@charlesbowyer3708]

That bald guy is a command pilot that flew missions in Nam.If you can't leave a nice comment,then don't leave any!

[@robertcombs55]

Did this aircraft use the J34s?

[@earlsmall9808]

J-85s