Warbird Information Exchange

The 1956 Fairchild C-123K Provider, which was manufactured at the Fairchild Aircraft Co. in Hagerstown, was acquired by the Hagerstown Aviation Museum nearly two years ago after more than 400 donors raised more than $100,000.

"The C-123 is mostly known as one of the cargo planes used during the Vietnam War, and it was used to haul all kinds of supplies and troops, paratroopers, vehicles could drive in and out," museum President John Seburn said. "For many years, the museum has been looking for a C-123, and two years ago, found one in Florida and was able to acquire it."

More than 300 C-123s were built, but there only are a handful left today, according to published reports.

"It employed a lot of people here at Fairchild in Hagerstown when C-123 was being built, and it's used through the Air Force, and also other countries around the world use the C-123," Seburn said.

The plane currently is being worked on in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

It originally was scheduled to be featured Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. during Open Airplane Afternoon at Hagerstown Regional Airport, where visitors can explore the 20 historic aircraft that the museum has, including the 1928 Kreider Reisner KR-31 biplane, the 1943 Fairchild PT-19 WWII trainer and Fairchild 24.
However, Seburn said mechanical issues postponed its scheduled return.
Information on when the plane will be returned is available by calling the museum's number at 301-733-8717 or going to its website at http://www.hagerstownaviationmuseum.org.

"(The C-123 is) almost ready to go, and we have a flight crew from another museum that actually has a C-123 that they fly around to air shows, so it's a very experienced flight crew, and they're certified to fly the C-123," Seburn said. "They're going to fly it from Fort Lauderdale back to Hagerstown."
Open Airplane Afternoon also will include a chance to experience cockpit flying with rides in the 1943 Fairchild PT-19 primary trainer by making a $100 donation.

The next Open Airplane Afternoon will be Sunday, Aug. 16.
"It's really great to bring the people and the planes back together here at the Hagerstown airport," Seburn said.
The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is a nonprofit organization that focuses on preserving the aviation history of the area. Of their 20 historic aircraft, 12 were built in Hagerstown.
Fairchild Aircraft began manufacturing planes in Hagerstown in the late 1920s and continued through 1984.

The folks in Hagerstown are very quietly building themselves a world class collection. They recently also added a stunning Stinson V-77 to their collection of vintage civilian planes.

Yes, Snake -- that is their new one.

I know Air Heritage has been very helpful with the Hagerstown folks throughout the process of acquiring and bringing the C-123 to an airworthy standard. I'm not sure if their aircrew is going to fly her in, but it wouldn't surprise me. I know we have a couple of posters here that are part of Air Heritage, so maybe they can chime in,