Curtiss C-46 Commando

Curtiss C-46 Commando
Kraju	Stany Zjednoczone Ameryki
Roli	Wojskowe samoloty transportowe
Pierwszy lot	26 marca 1940
Zbudowany	3181

Tthe Curtiss C-46 Commando to samolot transportowy wywodzący się z ciśnieniowego samolotu pasażerskiego Curtiss CW-20 na dużej wysokości. Wczesne doniesienia prasowe używały nazwy "Condor III", ale nazwa Commando była używana już na początku 1942 roku w reklamie firmy. Był używany jako transportowiec wojskowy podczas II wojny światowej przez Siły Powietrzne Armii Stanów Zjednoczonych, a także Marynarkę Wojenną/Korpus Piechoty Morskiej Stanów Zjednoczonych, który używał oznaczenia R5C. C-46 pełnił podobną rolę do swojego odpowiednika zbudowanego przez Douglasa, C-47 Skytrain, ale nie był produkowany na tak dużą skalę jak ten ostatni.

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Curtiss C-46D Commando Walk Around
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Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando Walk Around
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Curtiss C-46D-10-CU

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A Giant in the Shadows of the Dakota

Tthe 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)
Roli	Military Transport / Cargo Aircraft
Załogi	4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Radio Operator)
First Flight (CW-20)	March 26, 1940
Zespół napędowy	2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 Double Wasp radials
Horsepower	2,000 hp (1,500 kW) per engine
Prędkość maksymalna	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.