More powerful engines on short takeoff cargo-transport aircraft capable of using unimproved short runways while transporting air portable vehicles largely made the highly vulnerable and relatively dangerous to use glider transports obsolete; e.g. Chase/Fairchild C-123 Provider.
Fairchild C-123 Provider
The C-123 Provider was designed originally as an assault glider aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF) by Chase Aircraft as the XCG-20 (Chase designation MS-8 Avitruc)[1]
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairchild_C-123_Provider
“More powerful engines on short takeoff cargo-transport aircraft capable of using unimproved short runways while transporting air portable vehicles largely made the highly vulnerable and relatively dangerous to use glider transports obsolete; e.g. Chase/Fairchild C-123 Provider.” So does a helio air assult team hover and drop in a contested area. In fact their entrance to the CZ quickly gets known to everybody including the enemy, but gliders can quietly sneak in and deploy particularly if its a strike and hold operation.
The vehicle described in your PB posting can easily be “air dropped”, as well as trucks and field pieces. Gliders contructed of plywood used in WWII were expendable. Once landed on a open field and unloaded it was put to use toward other purposes; aid stations, comm centers, field hqs etc. The unpowered C-82, the forerunner of the C-119, was tried but needed a cleared field to safely land which means different tactics. Likewise the C-123 from your posting which was considered briefly has an interesting history including sea and snow borne applications as a powered aircraft. A furthur reading of the article did reference very briefly to the war of the rotary wing .Personally I think it has to do with $$$$$.
While attending a quaint little summer camp in northwestern Georgia, I enjoyed the distinct pleasure of taking off twice in the C-123 Provider. It climbed like a scalded ape. Likewise, I am unable to render an accurate critique as to it’s landing characteristics, due to sudden short visits made into Alabama.