Commando 42-101046

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-101046

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30501

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1037

FATE: Written off

  September 1944 to December 1944

  42-101046 - USAAF (USA)

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25 September 1944

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

Assigned to the 2^nd Combat Cargo Group, 7^th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Baer Field, IN.

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

Crew:
1^st Lt. Robert F. Linn, Pilot
2^nd Lt. Taylor B. Clements, Copilot

1 November 1944

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

Late 1944

Moved to Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies with the 7^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

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

24 November 1944

Went missing over Papua, Dutch East Indies (6/6 missing). [MACR 12261]

Crew:
2^nd Lt. James R. Mathews, Pilot
2^nd Lt. Herbert R. Willson, Copilot
TSgt. Edwin B. Barker, Crew Chief
Cpl. Sanford L. Thames, Radio Operator

The Commando was operating a flight between Biak AAF, Papua and Finschhafen Dreger Field, New Guinea with 4 crew and 2 passengers. Weather reported on the route at 1100 LT was 3/10 clouds with base at 2,000ft and tops at 8,000ft with the middle broken at 1,400ft with visibility of 12 miles and a few rain showers over the area between Wakde and Hollandia. At 0900 LT, the aircraft was last seen over Hollandia, Papua and last contacted by radio. At that point, the controller advised the crew to land at Hollandia due to poor weather, but the pilot replied all was clear and that he would proceed. No other contact was established afterwards, and the aircraft was believed lost due to bad weather. Enemy action is also mentioned as a possibility.

6 December 1944

Condemned for salvage.