Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at another short-field bird, the C-123 Provider. The C-123 is a very unique airplane with an interesting lineage. It started production in 1949, was not introduced until 1956, and was finally retired in 1995. There were a total of 307 Providers built. Surprisingly this airframe started out as an assault glider and transitioned into the plane we know.