Curtiss C-46 Commando | |
|---|---|
| 国家 | 美国 |
| 作用 | 军用运输机 |
| 首次飞行 | 1940年3月26日 |
| 建立 | 3181 |
这 柯蒂斯C-46突击队 是一种源自柯蒂斯 CW-20 加压高空客机设计的运输机。早期的新闻报道使用“Condor III”这个名字，但到 1942 年初，突击队这个名字开始在公司宣传中使用。它在二战期间被美国陆军航空队和美国海军/海军陆战队用作军事运输工具，并使用 R5C 的名称。C-46 的作用与道格拉斯制造的同类产品 C-47 Skytrain 类似，但它的生产不如后者广泛。
| Curtiss C-46D Commando Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| 摄影师 | 塞斯·亨德里克斯 |
| 本地化 | 未知 |
| 照片 | 63 |
| Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| 摄影师 | Vladimir Yakubov |
| 本地化 | 城堡阿夫布博物馆 |
| 照片 | 279 |
另请参阅：
A Giant in the Shadows of the Dakota
这 柯蒂斯C-46突击队 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 型 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) |
|---|---|
| 作用 | Military Transport / Cargo Aircraft |
| 船员 | 4 (Pilot, Co-pilot, Navigator, Radio Operator) |
| First Flight (CW-20) | March 26, 1940 |
| 动力装置 | 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 Double Wasp radials |
| Horsepower | 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) per engine |
| 最高速度 | 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.
意见 ： 3158
