The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 44-77374

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-5-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77374

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32770

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1306

FATE: Broken up

Operational Record

  November 1944 to October 1948

  44-77374 - USAAF (USA)


3 November 1944

Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.44 77374 1

Probably assigned to the 5th Air Force, 54th Troop Carrier Wing operating in the Southwest Pacific theater.

6 January 1945

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia. [date is assignment date]

8 January 1945

Received major damage on Canton Island, Phoenix Islands in a taxi accident.

Pilot: John W. Loughlin (pictured; survived and retired in 1981 as a USAF Lt. Col.)

The Commando was probably ferrying from the USA to Australia at the time of the accident.

Unknown date

Assigned to the 403rd Troop Carrier Group, 13th Troop Carrier Squadron operating in the Philippines.

2 February 1946

Received minor damage 5 km west of Dulag Field, Leyte, Philippines in a ground accident due to weather.

Pilot: Robert W. Shaw

1 January 1948

Assigned to Clark Field, Philippines.

22 June 1948

Reclamation authorized, possibly by the Army-Navy Liquidation Commission.

1 October 1948

Reclamation completed, probably at Clark Field, Philippines.

Last edited: 04/11/2020