Commando 44-77512

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77512

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32908

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1444

FATE: Written off

  December 1944 to March 1945

  44-77512 - USAAF (USA)

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8 December 1944

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

21 January 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

February 1945

Assigned to the 9^th Air Force, 52^nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313^th Troop Carrier Group, 48^th Troop Carrier Squadron based at Grevillers-Achiet (B-54), France.

Marked "Z7-T".

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (fatalities). [MACR 13422]

Crew:
2nd Lt. Gerald B. Hamilton, Pilot (KIA, pictured right)
2nd Lt. Wayne Wilson, Copilot (KIA)
S/Sgt Albert E. Lewis, Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Wenzel T. Klimek, Crew Chief (injured)

The Commando, flying as Chalk 50, was hit by flak near Wesel, and was seen catching fire in flight. It crash landed on the northeastern bank of the Rhine.

Condemned, missing in action.