Curtiss C-46 Commando

Curtiss C-46 Commando
Country	USA
Role	Military transport aircraft
First flight	26 March 1940
Built	3181

The Curtiss C-46 Commando is a transport aircraft derived from the Curtiss CW-20 pressurised high-altitude airliner design. Early press reports used the name ‘Condor III’ but the Commando name was in use by early 1942 in company publicity. It was used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces and also the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps, which used the designation R5C. The C-46 served in a similar role to its Douglas-built counterpart, the C-47 Skytrain, but it was not as extensively produced as the latter.

Source: Curtiss C-46 Commando on Wikipedia

Curtiss C-46D Commando Walk Around
Photographer	Cees Hendriks
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	63

Curtiss C-46D Commando 01

Curtiss C-46D Commando 02

Curtiss C-46D Commando 03

Curtiss C-46D Commando 04

Curtiss C-46D Commando 05

Curtiss C-46D Commando 06

Curtiss C-46D Commando 07

Curtiss C-46D Commando 08

Curtiss C-46D Commando 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Wait, Searching Curtiss C-46 Commando for you…

Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Castle AFB Museum
Photos	279

Curtiss C-46D-10-CU

A Giant in the Shadows of the Dakota

The Curtiss C-46 Commando was the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft used by the U.S. Army Air Forces during WWII. While the Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) received more fame, the C-46 was a far more capable machine, able to carry twice the payload and fly much higher. The C-46D variant was the most-produced version, featuring a modified nose and extra cargo doors specifically designed for paratroop operations. It was the backbone of the “Hump” airlift, flying over the Himalayas in conditions that would have grounded lesser aircraft.

Attribute	Technical Specification (C-46D)
Role	Military Transport / Cargo Aircraft
Crew	4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Radio Operator)
First Flight (CW-20)	March 26, 1940
Powerplant	2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 Double Wasp radials
Horsepower	2,000 hp (1,500 kW) per engine
Maximum Speed	270 mph (435 km/h) at 15,000 ft
Service Ceiling	24,500 feet (7,468 m)
Max Payload	15,000 lbs (6,800 kg)

Engineering for High-Altitude Logistics

Double-Bubble Fuselage: The C-46 utilized a unique “figure-eight” or double-bubble cross-section. This allowed the cabin floor to be placed at the widest point of the fuselage, maximizing internal volume for bulky cargo like Jeeps and light artillery.
High-Altitude Radials: Powered by the massive 18-cylinder R-2800 Double Wasp engines, the Commando had the power to maintain flight even with one engine failed while fully loaded—a critical safety feature when flying over the 20,000-foot peaks of the Himalayas.
The “Hump” Modifications: Flying the “Hump” meant dealing with extreme icing. C-46s were fitted with advanced de-icing boots on the wings and tail, and specialized heaters to keep the fuel from waxing in the sub-zero temperatures.
C-46D Paratrooper Door: Unlike the standard cargo version, the “D” model featured a dedicated personnel door on the left side, allowing it to drop paratroopers more efficiently than the earlier cargo-only variants.

The “Curtiss Calamity” and Beyond

A Reputation for Danger: Early C-46s suffered from mysterious mid-air explosions. It was eventually discovered that fuel leaks in the unvented wing roots were being ignited by sparks. This led to a massive retrofitting program that eventually made the aircraft safe.
The Hump Legend: In the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater, C-46s delivered hundreds of thousands of tons of supplies to Chinese forces. It was here that the aircraft earned its nickname “The Whale” and proved its worth as a high-altitude heavy lifter.
Post-War Commercial Life: After 1945, the C-46 became a favorite of “non-sked” cargo airlines in Latin America and the Arctic. Its ability to haul heavy loads out of short, high-altitude strips made it a legend in the Andes and the Canadian North.
Survivors: A surprising number of C-46s remain in existence. Buffalo Airways in Canada famously operated them commercially well into the 21st century, and “Tinker Belle” remains a popular star on the U.S. airshow circuit.