C-23B Sherpa – Light Military Transport Aircraft

About the C-23B Sherpa – Light Military Transport Aircraft:

There is a saying in combat, amateurs study tactics whiles professionals study logistics. The movement of men and material, and the efficiency in doing so, are perhaps more important in a combat scenario than having good tactics. If a unit has good logistics and a continuous plan for resupply, then they maintain a tactical advantage over their adversary. That idea is as prudent today as it was in the American Civil War when materials were transferred via horse and cart, locomotive, or bipedal. As history has progressed forward, technological advancements have increased the efficiency of the logistical infrastructure. Motored vehicles have replaced the horse while heavy lift cargo aircraft have neutralized the effectiveness of the railroad car—however, those are still used in places that have hard infrastructure in place. Today, aircraft play a major role in the logistical support of the United States military. With aircraft, commanders on the ground have a constant source of supply—maintaining they have air superiority. For these purposes, specialized aircraft have been introduced to give maximum flexibility. One example is the C-23B Sherpa.

The Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland developed a small—relatively speaking—square-hauled cargo plane that was designed to operate on unpaved runways and have short takeoff and landing capabilities. The United States Military took possession of early model Sherpas in the 1980s with the Army ordering more in the 1990s. The United States Army operated the C-23 as an intra-theater support aircraft that was originally acquired to support various bases spread across Europe. While a heightened conflict in Europe did not materialize, the Sherpa still found use in the Middle East during Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. The Sherpa can haul up to thirty, fully kitted out troops, three pallets of cargo, or a combination thereof. The rear hydraulic ramp spans the width of the airplane while its twin, turbo-prop engines give the Sherpa a range of 1000 miles with cruise speeds of 230 mph. Furthermore, the C-23 utilizes a crew of three—pilot, copilot, and crew chief. Its size and accessibility to less than ideal landing zones means the Sherpa has been used in humanitarian efforts around the world. While the Sherpa was retired from military service in 2014, Sherpas were transferred to the United States Fire Services as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Today, they are used in the continuous fight against forest fires as well as other humanitarian efforts.

Additional information about this Brickmania® custom building kit:

Loaded with all custom printed details and a crew of three, you have the option to preorder up to 8 of the 1st SFC(A) Airborne Trooper Custom Minifigs with this build! Play features include opening/removable doors, a rear ramp, easily accessible interior, and posable flaps and ailerons. Also included is a converter for use with the Universal Aircraft Stand – 2023 Edition.

Model Statistics:

Designed by Daniel Siskind
1650 elements
3x custom minifigs
Custom printed elements
Full-color printed building instructions
1/35th scale to match other Brickmania kits
Advanced Skill Level (6-8 years building experience recommended)