C-123 History
During the post WW2 era, Michael Stroukoff (Peter's father) designed an aircraft for Stroukoff Aircraft called the MS-8 Avitruc, which was later assigned the military designation of C-123. Stroukoff Aircraft was bought out by Chase Aircraft, who was then aquired Kaiser-Fraser Aircraft. The USAF cancelled their contract with Chase Aircraft when they were bought out and, therefore, put the contract up for bids. Awarded the contract, Fairchild began manufacturing and doing further development to the C-123.
Peter has many childhood memories of climbing around in these planes as they were being constructed. As a modeller, it has been a dream to someday build and fly a model of his dad's plane. Never having built a twin, or any plane of this size, Peter came to Tony asking assistance in construction, and flying. The deal: Tony does the initial test flight and then teaches Peter to fly it himself. Tony can also take and fly the model at three events. Some talk has been made about possibly competing at the AMA Nationals in Team Scale once finished.
Our model will be of the Stroukoff C-123 Avitruc prototype (CZ-786, tail #7786 USAF) as it appeared during the initial flight tests by Stroukoff Aircraft. Differences between this plane and the production Fairchild variant include: lack of large dorsal fin, lack of auxilary tanks and jet engines under the wings, lack of bumps on side of fuse for wheel wells, and a rounded fin and rudder. We started with a set of Palmer plans, and made these few changes to them; however we found them to have some design flaws. We've been redisigning them as we build. It will be finished with fiberglass cloth and then covered with chrome vinyl which will give it a very realistic look. Graphics will be custom made by Dynamic Designs, Tony's business.
Wingspan- 120"
Length- 73"
Weight- 25 lbs.
Engine- Saito .91 x 2
Pete has been relocated back to his hometown for work and has taken the plane back to Stillwater, OK with him. I try to keep this page current with his progress on finishing this labor of love. The last I heard, the model is mostly sheeted and almost ready for fiberglass.
-Tony
