Fairchild C-123K Provider, 54-0683 / 20132, US Air Force
Registration: 54-0683
Construction Number: 20132
Model Fairchild C-123K Provider
Operator: US Air Force
Airport: Edwards AFB (EDW / KEDW), USA - California
Photographer: Roger Richards
Date Taken: 29/10/1989
Date Submitted: 24/01/2017
From the new owner in 2018. My name is Frank L. Motter. On 01/25/2018 I purchased 54-0683 from GSA sales. 683 was slated for scraping at Edwards AFB. My wife and I secured 683 to save her from the scrappers torch. Upon researching the history of 683 we discovered that this aircraft carried the Fulton ground to air recovery system and was used by a Special Operations Squadron inserting and extracting special forces in Laos and Cambodia during the Vietnam war. The airframe has several bullet hole repairs indicating that she was in the thick of the stuff. We also found a 1962 YouTube video without sound showing the initial testing of the Fulton recovery system on 683 at Hurlbert Field Florida. We plan to move the aircraft off the base and display it on our property as a memorial to all the Air Force and Air America C-123 aircrew who lost their lives in Southeast Asia. If anybody has any additional info on 683 we would truly appreciate hearing from you. A true veteran deserves a better fate. Frank and Sita Motter. 661-728-9654
Picture ID:1555436