56-4362 was accepted by the USAF in 1957 as a C-123B and went to Vietnam in 1961 to fly as a low-level defoliant sprayer. In 1965, it was redesignated to UC-123B. At about the same time, it became a dedicated insecticide sprayer to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and in 1968 Fairchild converted it to a UC-123K. By then named "Patches" in view of almost 600 bullet hits in theatre, it returned to the US in 1972 via Afghanistan and Iran where it helped combat locust plagues. Lastly operated for AFRes as a C-123K until retirement to the museum in 1980

13 Sep '57: TOS USAF as a C-123B as 56-4362. 1962 to 1972: Deployed to South Vietnam as sprayer. Jan '72: 377th Air Base Wing,Tan Son Nhut. By this time the aircraft had received nearly 600 hits in combat and was nicknamed "Patches" for all the metal patches covering the holes.  The crew earned seven Purple Hearts.  1972: Became the first and only C-123 to fly completely around the world when it returned to the USA by way of Afghanistan and Iran, where it assisted in the fight against a plague of locusts. Jan 73: Redesignated C-123K and decontaminated of Agent Orange. 1980: Flew to the Air Force Museum.

Originally delivered as a C-123B, this Provider was converted to a C-123K and later to UC-123K with spray equipment to dispense herbicide defoliants such as Agent Orange over the Vietnamese forests under Operation Ranch Hand. It is reckoned that the C-123s engaged in this controversial work were the most shot-at aerial targets of the Vietnam War, taking over 7,000 hits. 54-0633 continued to serve until April 1982 when it was retired, being flown to Robins AFB in 1988

Photographer unknown

Probably operated by 94 TAW at the time, as this was the final unit to operate the C-123. Any help on the location is appreciated.

Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CP077 in 1982. Sold for scrap in 2010.

Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CP079 in 1982. To the US Department of State as N97033 in 1987. Returned to the USAF as 54-658 in 1990 and preserved at Dover AFB.

Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CP079 in 1982. To the US Department of State as N97033 in 1987. Returned to the USAF as 54-658 in 1990 and preserved at Dover AFB.

Preserved at Warner Robins Museum of Aviation from 1984.

Preserved at Warner Robins Museum of Aviation from 1984.

Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CP071 in 1982. Sold for scrap in 2010.

Displayed on celebrity row. Delivered to the USAF as 54-585. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB with park code CP091 in 1986. Scrapped in 2010.

Ex USAF 54-658. Retired to Davis Monthan in 1982 and transferred to the Department of State Air Wing for use in Peru, registered N97033 in Dec 1987. On display at the Air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB as USAF 54-658 since about 1990.

This a/c was flown to the USAF Museum in June 1980, just three months before this slide was taken. It is parked near the museum restoration hangar across the airfield from the museum, which can be seen in the background. It is currently on display inside the museum.

ex "Ranch Hand". To MASDC 01JUL70. Returned to service, noted with 356 TAS / 302 TAW AFRES JUL76. To MASDC as CP065 17NOV81