COMMANDO
COMMANDO

Manufacturer:

CURTISS

Markings:

2nd Combat Cargo Group, 5th Combat Cargo Squadron, Townsville, Australia, 1944

Designation:

C-46D

Serial Number:

44-77635

CURTISS C-46D COMMANDO

Designed in the late 1930s as an airliner the Commando was quickly adopted by the Army Air Force because of its particularly large fuselage. The first C-46s entered service in 1942 and proved to be very well suited to military service. The Commando was very heavily used in the Pacific and became a very familiar sight flying "The Hump" cargo routes over the mountains between India and China. Commandos continued in service in fairly large numbers after the war and the last of them served with the 1st Air Commando Group in Vietnam during 1962.

Specifications

  • Wingspan: 108 ft 1 in
  • Length: 76 ft 4 in
  • Height: 21 ft 9 in
  • Weight: 56,000 lbs (loaded)
  • Max. Speed: 269 mph
  • Service Ceiling: 27,600 ft
  • Range: 1,200 miles
  • Engines: 2 Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 radials, 2,000 horsepower each
  • Crew: 4, 50 passengers