Commando 42-101039

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-101039

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30494

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1030

FATE: Written off

  September 1944 to January 1945

  42-101039 - USAAF (USA)

20 September 1944

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

Assigned to the 2^nd Combat Cargo Group, 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Baer Field, IN.

Ferried from Fairfield-Suisun AAB, CA to Nadzab Field, Australian New Guinea .

Crew:
Maj. Travis M. Allison, Pilot
2^nd Lt. Henry R. Andrzejewski, Copilot

30 October 1944

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

November 1944

Moved to Finschhafen Dreger Field, Australian New Guinea with the 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

January 1945

Moved to Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies with the 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Involved in the transport of supplies and troops to American and Filipino forces in the Philippines.

29 January 1945

Damaged beyond repair at Tacloban Field, Philippines in a ground accident.

The Commando was either parked, or taxiing on the apron at Tacloban. Another Commando, 42-101157, was taking off at that moment, and veered off the runway to avoid a C-54 that was attempting to land at the same time. 42-101157 collided with two B-24s and 42-101039. Both Commandos were destroyed.

Condemned for salvage.

[quoted by JB as damaged beyond repair on 25 December 1944, which contradicts all other sources]