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I saw a picture of the C27 Spartan and thought it had a striking resemblence to the C123 Provider. Their size and shapes are almost the same. I actually had the opportunity to fly in a C123 back in 1977-78, when I was in AFJROTC in H.S., noisier than a C130 and shook bad too. Rather surprised to see the C123 has a 3,000ft higher ceiling than the C27, as well as a 325 mile longer range. I didn't see a cost on the C27 but I bet its a lot more than the $601,719 for the C123.

C-27 Spartan
Specifications
Primary Function Cargo/passenger transport
Power Plant/Manufacturer Two General Electric T64-P4D engines
Shaft Horse Power 3,400 each
Dimension 74.5 feet long by 34.7 feet wide
Wingspan 94.2 feet
Speed 250 knots
Ceiling 25,000 feet
Takeoff Weight (Typical) 56,878 pounds
Empty Weight 39,500 pounds
Range 1,500 nautical miles
Takeoff Distance 1,500 feet
Runway 1,800 feet by 45 feet


The C-123
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 110 ft.
Length: 76 ft. 3 in.
Height: 34 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 60,000 lbs. max.
Armament: None
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,500 hp. each and two General Electric J85s of 2,850 lbs. thrust each
Crew: Three or four
Cost: $601,719
Serial Number: 56-4362
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 240 mph.
Cruising speed: 170 mph.
Range: 1,825 miles
Service Ceiling: 28,000 ft.

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You might want to look at the designation for that Spartan, it's not a C-27, it's a C-271. When you started with the name Spartan, you had me confused with the new plane that Milton just released. This C-271 looks like a new plane, and this is the first time I've seen any mention of it. Thanks for the piccie, that helped clear up that confusion. Looking at those pictures, I think you are right, they do look similar. That C-271 looks like a mini-2 engined C-130.

The number on the Spartans tail is not C-271, it is C-27J, as in "Juliet". I'm not familiar with the C-271.

Being unfamiliar with the type, I did some checkin' around...

"The U.S. Air Force's C-27 Spartan, nicknamed Chuck, is modified from the G222 airframe manufactured in Naples, Italy, by Alenia, S.P.A. Chrysler Technologies Airborne Systems, Inc., as prime contractor, procured G222-710 aircraft from Alenia, and modified those aircraft by installing upgraded navigation, communication, and mission systems required for C-27A operation."

" The C-27J Spartan, an upgraded version of the Alenia G.222, was developed by Lockheed Martin Alenia Tactical Transport Systems (LMATTS) -- a US company jointly owned by Lockheed Martin and Alenia. The C-27J has a ferry range that exceeds any competitive aircraft by 1,000nm, for a total ferry range of more than 3,000nm. In weight, it carries 50 percent more than similar aircraft, and can carry a maximum payload 1,000 miles. The aircraft, which is not a modified commuter airliner but a dedicated military transport, is strong enough to perform sustained 3-g maneuvers and can takeoff and land from short, unprepared surfaces in less than 500 meters, even with a maximum takeoff weight of 30,000 kg (66,000 pounds). "

This from Globalsecurity....

Thanks, I stand corrected. I was looking at the pictures at a reduced size, and the j looked like a 1.

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here is some additional information on the C123 that is in the photo along with some C123 info for comparison to the C27.
The "Provider" is a short-range assault transport used to airlift troops and cargo onto short runways and unprepared airstrips. Designed by the Chase Aircraft Co., the C-123 evolved from earlier designs for large assault gliders. The first prototype XC-123 made its initial flight on October 14, 1949, powered by two piston engines. A second prototype was built as the XG-20 glider. It was later test-flown, powered by four jet engines. The production version, with two piston engines, was designated the C-123B. Chase began manufacture in 1953, but the production contract was transferred to Fairchild. The first of more than 300 Fairchild-built C-123Bs entered service in July 1955. Between 1966 and 1969, 184 C-123Bs were converted to C-123Ks by adding two J85 jet engines for improved performance.

The aircraft on display entered service in 1957 as a C-123B. In 1961-72, it served in Vietnam--first as a UC-123B, then as a UC-123K--flying low-level defoliant and insecticide spray missions. During that time it received over 1,000 bullet and shrapnel hits. Its nickname, "Patches," derives from the metal patches that cover many of its battle scars. It is also decorated with seven Purple Hearts earned by crewmen wounded in the aircraft. It was flown to the Museum in June 1980.


More C-123 images...

The C-123 as displayed
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 110 ft.
Length: 76 ft. 3 in.
Height: 34 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 60,000 lbs. max.
Armament: None
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,500 hp. each and two General Electric J85s of 2,850 lbs. thrust each
Crew: Three or four
Cost: $601,719
Serial Number: 56-4362
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 240 mph.
Cruising speed: 170 mph.
Range: 1,825 miles
Service Ceiling: 28,000 ft.