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The C-46 Commando was a twin-engine transport aircraft used primarily by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II and continued in service with the United States Air Force (USAF) and other air forces around the world post-war. It was developed by Curtiss-Wright Corporation as a larger and more capable counterpart to the C-47 Skytrain.
Description
The C-46 Commando was a large, twin-engine transport aircraft with a distinctive double-bubble fuselage design. It featured a high-mounted wing and a tailwheel landing gear configuration. The aircraft was designed to transport cargo and personnel over longer distances and at higher speeds compared to the C-47. It had a spacious interior that could accommodate a large volume of cargo or up to 50 fully equipped troops.
Specifications
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Operational History
The C-46 Commando saw extensive service during World War II, particularly in the China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater and over the Himalayan "Hump" route, where it proved invaluable for transporting supplies and personnel to support Allied forces in China. It was also used for cargo and troop transport in the Pacific and European theaters.
Post-war, the C-46 continued to serve in various military roles and was widely used in civilian cargo operations due to its large payload capacity and long-range capabilities. While it did not achieve the same level of fame as the C-47, the C-46 Commando nonetheless played a significant role in military and commercial aviation history, demonstrating Curtiss-Wright's ability to produce a reliable and capable transport aircraft.
Do you have WWII memorabilia that you are not sure what to do with it? The children don't want it? Then let us help you preserve this history by donating these items to the Army Air Corps Library and Museum. We are accepting donations in the form of uniforms, medals, ribbons, patches, photos, memorabilia, papers, gear and equipment. We also accept monetary donations to support our operations and long term plans. This website is part of the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, and as a 501(c)(3) Non-profit, your qualifying donations are tax deductible.
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Historical Artifacts: We are looking for photos, documents and other types of artifacts including uniforms, medals, insignia, gear, manuals, and training material. We accept electronic/scans or originals of pictures and paper records. A General Order could be an award document that contains information on many servicemen. Special Orders may contain transfers or other information. Flight records, accident reports, maintenance logs, after action reports, pilot encounter reports, diaries and biorgraphies; all of these types of documents help us support or mission: preserving your history! Contact us today for instructions on sending us this material. Contact Today
Are you an AAC, AAF or USAF Veteran, family member, historian or WW2 enthusiast? We Need YOU! Contact us today to see how you can help the Army Air Corps Library and Museum, a Texas Not-For-Profit Corporation. We need your help! We are looking for volunteers that can help us with the following tasks. Typing and Transcriptionists: One of our big projects is extracting data from the thousands of documents we have and putting this data into a database where we can display the information on a website such as this one. We also need assistance with retyping unit history documents.
