The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 44-77542

Aircraft Identification

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77542

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32938

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1474

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  December 1944 to March 1945

  44-77542 - USAAF (USA)


7 December 1944

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

13 January 1945

Assigned to the 8th Air Force.

February 1945

Assigned to the 9th Air Force, 52nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313th Troop Carrier Group, 29th Troop Carrier Squadron based at RAF Folkingham, England.

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (no fatalities). [MACR 13418]

Pilot: probably Maj. Robert F. Laird Sr. (survived)

The Commando was shot down by flak and probably made an emergency landing.

28 March 1945

Condemned, missing in action.

Last edited: 31/01/2024