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 Theater during World War II and became a 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. Surplus C-46s were widely sold in the 1950s and 1960s with several still in service hauling cargo in Alaska and Canada.

Wingspan108 ft 1 in.
Length76 ft 4 in.
Height21 ft 9 in.
Weight56,000 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed269 MPH
Service Ceiling27,600 ft
Range1,200 miles
EnginesTwo Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 radials with 2,000 horsepower each
Crew4 and 50 passengers
ManufacturerCurtiss Aircraft Company
Markings2nd Combat Cargo Group, 5th Combat Cargo Squadron, Townsville, Australia, 1944
Serial Number44-77635
DesignationC-46D