The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 44-77549

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77549

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32945

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1481

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  December 1944 to September 1947

  44-77549 - USAAF (USA)


December 1944

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

  September 1947 to November 1953

  44-77549 - USAF (USA)


18 September 1947

Transferred.

Circa 1950

Assigned to the 437th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Brady AB, Japan.

31 March 1951

Received major damage at Pohang (K-3), South Korea in an accident due to a mechanical failure.

Pilot: Leslie L. Worden

8 October 1951

Received minor damage at Ashiya AB, Japan in a taxi accident.

Pilot: Lee E. Nagle

Circa 1952

Assigned to the 315th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 19th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Brady AB, Japan.

20 June 1953

Received major damage at Brady AB, Japan in a runway overrun on landing.

Pilot: William W. Ryan

26 November 1953

Damaged beyond repair after ditching 2.5 km WSW of Miho AB, Japan (0/30 fatalities).

Pilot: Thomas J. Masner

The Commando departed from Miho AB, Japan with 5 crew members and 25 passengers on board. It ditched in the ocean shortly after takeoff. All occupants were rescued but the aircraft was written off.

Last edited: 21/02/2024