I was the Chief Flight Mechanic and Bart Farzati worked for me. All the while 54-674 was in the Pittsburgh Unit it received the best of
care from a dedicated Crew.”
"54-674’s Crew Chief was a guy by the name of MSGT Myron Nazar. He kept that aircraft in the best of flying condition. I would go as
far as saying he loved that aircraft. He is also retired and in Pittsburgh. In 1980 the Unit converted to C130A aircraft and in 1986 to
C130H2 aircraft zero time right off the assembly line. As for me when we converted I became the Chief Flight Engineer and stayed
in that position until I retired in 1995. Since my retirement I moved to
Tampa Fl. and work for a company called CAE/USA. I am a C-130 Flight Simulator Instructor.”
“To make a long story short I used to come here once a year for my annual Simulator training. When I retired, the Manager of the
training facility asked me if I wanted a job as an Instructor, so here I've been for the last eleven years.”
THANKS Jim for your historic updates on 54-674! IF YOU have any info on 54-674’s history, please contact us at
provider674@peoplepc.com and let us know!!
In September of 1986 this aircraft was taken out of storage and privately registered as N674JK. The airplane's career was then
spent in Central America working in a covert operation which later became known as the "IRAN-CONTRA" affair. When one of 54-
674's sister ships was shot down north of San Carlos Nicaragua, (N4410F) resulting in the capture of its loadmaster, Eugene
Hassenfus, the covert operation was terminated and all surviving C-123s were ordered destroyed to eliminate any evidence of the
operation. The good luck that enabled 54-674 to survive was caused by some bad luck in Tegucigalpa Honduras when a hung start
on the port side J-85 jet engine caused a fire in the engine housing, and in the confusion, the left main fuel tank was
jettisoned…right onto the ramp! (The C-123's main tanks could be jettisoned by the flip of a switch from the cockpit.) This made it
impossible to fly the airplane to a remote location for its scheduled destruction. The airplane was abandoned on site and
immediately confiscated by the Honduran military. Later, the aircraft was obtained by a retired Honduran Air Force officer, but he
was killed shortly afterwards when he accidentally flew a DC6 into the side of a mountain somewhere in Honduras. The airplane
was then purchased by an American who returned the airplane back to the USA in the early 1990's.
The airplane was flown in several air shows and was also a movie star.… in the movie "Double-Cross" which ironically was the
story of Barry Seal and his involvement in the secret missions in Central America when he turned informant and worked to bring
down the infamous Columbian Medellin drug cartel. Although it is not known for certain, it is quite possible that 54-674 spent time
with the airplane it was portraying in the movie!
The airplane came to be based at Titusville Florida's Space Coast Executive Airport, and was parked at the Valiant Air Command
Museum for some time. The airplane was eventually moved to the west side of the field where it languished until June of 2001,
when the airport authority deemed the airplane an eyesore and slated it for demolition. A small group of local aircraft enthusiasts
and pilots learned of the impending doom of the airplane and decided to try and stop it's destruction. The airplane was saved at the
last minute, when an agreement was reached with the owner, the airport authority, and the founders of the Air America Foundation,
a non-profit, Tax exempt 501 C3 organization, which agreed to restore the airplane back to flying condition.
In January of 2006, 54-674 returned to the Valiant Air Command Museum ramp, after the FBO on the west side of the airport was
sold and our space was leased out from under us! We were given 30 days to pack up tons of equipment, parts, and tooling, and
move. The great people at the Valiant Air Command Museum worked out a deal to give us a place to continue our restoration, and
we were all moved-in by February 1st!
54-674 is moving ahead in her restoration. We recently re-installed the horizontal and vertical stabilizers on the airframe, and the
process of refurbishing the hydraulic, lubricating oil and fuel systems. We are also hoping to begin the rewiring of the cockpit. Our
props are completely refurbished and ready for installation. We still need to obtain two General Electric J85-17 jet engines to
complete our power package.
We have come so far and have done so much in the last few years, but work still remains, and funding is urgently needed to
continue the final phases of restoration. Your personal or corporate support is urgently needed to complete the repairs and to
purchase vital parts. The airplane is currently being painted in a metallic silver color to represent the bare-metal finish seen on all
Air America C-123's. 54-674 will then begin air show operations, taking the story of Air America to points all across the nation. Thus,
54-674 has found a new lease on life…and an important mission…paying tribute to the men and women who ran an amazing
airline known as Air America.
care from a dedicated Crew.”
"54-674’s Crew Chief was a guy by the name of MSGT Myron Nazar. He kept that aircraft in the best of flying condition. I would go as
far as saying he loved that aircraft. He is also retired and in Pittsburgh. In 1980 the Unit converted to C130A aircraft and in 1986 to
C130H2 aircraft zero time right off the assembly line. As for me when we converted I became the Chief Flight Engineer and stayed
in that position until I retired in 1995. Since my retirement I moved to
Tampa Fl. and work for a company called CAE/USA. I am a C-130 Flight Simulator Instructor.”
“To make a long story short I used to come here once a year for my annual Simulator training. When I retired, the Manager of the
training facility asked me if I wanted a job as an Instructor, so here I've been for the last eleven years.”
THANKS Jim for your historic updates on 54-674! IF YOU have any info on 54-674’s history, please contact us at
provider674@peoplepc.com and let us know!!
In September of 1986 this aircraft was taken out of storage and privately registered as N674JK. The airplane's career was then
spent in Central America working in a covert operation which later became known as the "IRAN-CONTRA" affair. When one of 54-
674's sister ships was shot down north of San Carlos Nicaragua, (N4410F) resulting in the capture of its loadmaster, Eugene
Hassenfus, the covert operation was terminated and all surviving C-123s were ordered destroyed to eliminate any evidence of the
operation. The good luck that enabled 54-674 to survive was caused by some bad luck in Tegucigalpa Honduras when a hung start
on the port side J-85 jet engine caused a fire in the engine housing, and in the confusion, the left main fuel tank was
jettisoned…right onto the ramp! (The C-123's main tanks could be jettisoned by the flip of a switch from the cockpit.) This made it
impossible to fly the airplane to a remote location for its scheduled destruction. The airplane was abandoned on site and
immediately confiscated by the Honduran military. Later, the aircraft was obtained by a retired Honduran Air Force officer, but he
was killed shortly afterwards when he accidentally flew a DC6 into the side of a mountain somewhere in Honduras. The airplane
was then purchased by an American who returned the airplane back to the USA in the early 1990's.
The airplane was flown in several air shows and was also a movie star.… in the movie "Double-Cross" which ironically was the
story of Barry Seal and his involvement in the secret missions in Central America when he turned informant and worked to bring
down the infamous Columbian Medellin drug cartel. Although it is not known for certain, it is quite possible that 54-674 spent time
with the airplane it was portraying in the movie!
The airplane came to be based at Titusville Florida's Space Coast Executive Airport, and was parked at the Valiant Air Command
Museum for some time. The airplane was eventually moved to the west side of the field where it languished until June of 2001,
when the airport authority deemed the airplane an eyesore and slated it for demolition. A small group of local aircraft enthusiasts
and pilots learned of the impending doom of the airplane and decided to try and stop it's destruction. The airplane was saved at the
last minute, when an agreement was reached with the owner, the airport authority, and the founders of the Air America Foundation,
a non-profit, Tax exempt 501 C3 organization, which agreed to restore the airplane back to flying condition.
In January of 2006, 54-674 returned to the Valiant Air Command Museum ramp, after the FBO on the west side of the airport was
sold and our space was leased out from under us! We were given 30 days to pack up tons of equipment, parts, and tooling, and
move. The great people at the Valiant Air Command Museum worked out a deal to give us a place to continue our restoration, and
we were all moved-in by February 1st!
54-674 is moving ahead in her restoration. We recently re-installed the horizontal and vertical stabilizers on the airframe, and the
process of refurbishing the hydraulic, lubricating oil and fuel systems. We are also hoping to begin the rewiring of the cockpit. Our
props are completely refurbished and ready for installation. We still need to obtain two General Electric J85-17 jet engines to
complete our power package.
We have come so far and have done so much in the last few years, but work still remains, and funding is urgently needed to
continue the final phases of restoration. Your personal or corporate support is urgently needed to complete the repairs and to
purchase vital parts. The airplane is currently being painted in a metallic silver color to represent the bare-metal finish seen on all
Air America C-123's. 54-674 will then begin air show operations, taking the story of Air America to points all across the nation. Thus,
54-674 has found a new lease on life…and an important mission…paying tribute to the men and women who ran an amazing
airline known as Air America.
54-674 was first deployed at Ardmore Oklahoma in Active USAF duty. Later, she was stationed
in the Panama Canal Zone until she was deployed to Viet Nam with Special Operations Units.
We believe she was with the 315th Special Operations Group. 674 came stateside in 1967 to
be converted into a "K" model with the installation of two GE J-85 turbojet engines, antiskid
braking, and othermods. She returned to Southeast Asia and completed its tour of duty before
finally returning to the USA.
Recently another piece of 54-674’s history came to be known. The following paragraphs were
sent to us by Jim Kepka, SMSGT USAF RETIRED in May 2006.
“54-674 was assigned to the 911th AW/758th AS located in Pittsburgh, Pa. from 1973-1980
when the squadron converted to C-130A models. I know this because I was a Flight Mechanic
who worked on it and flew it. It was a U.S. Air Force Reserve aircraft. During the time that C-
123's were assigned to the 758th Airlift Sq.
in the Panama Canal Zone until she was deployed to Viet Nam with Special Operations Units.
We believe she was with the 315th Special Operations Group. 674 came stateside in 1967 to
be converted into a "K" model with the installation of two GE J-85 turbojet engines, antiskid
braking, and othermods. She returned to Southeast Asia and completed its tour of duty before
finally returning to the USA.
Recently another piece of 54-674’s history came to be known. The following paragraphs were
sent to us by Jim Kepka, SMSGT USAF RETIRED in May 2006.
“54-674 was assigned to the 911th AW/758th AS located in Pittsburgh, Pa. from 1973-1980
when the squadron converted to C-130A models. I know this because I was a Flight Mechanic
who worked on it and flew it. It was a U.S. Air Force Reserve aircraft. During the time that C-
123's were assigned to the 758th Airlift Sq.
History of Fairchild C-123 Provider s/n 54-674
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