The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 42-101168

Aircraft Identification

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-101168

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30623

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1159

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  October 1944 to May 1945

  42-101168 - USAAF (USA)


4 October 1944

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

Assigned to the 4th Combat Cargo Group, 13th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Bowman Field, KY.

12 November 1944

Ferried from Morrison Field, FL to Sylhet, Bengal, India.

Crew:
Capt. William P. Perkins, Pilot
2nd Lt. Jack N. Booner, Copilot
Sgt. Julio Scala, Crew Chief
Sgt. Paul W. Larson, Radio Operator

28 November 1944

Ferried through Karachi, Sindh, India.

Early December 1944

Arrived in Sylhet, Bengal, India with the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Transported reinforcements and supplies for Allied forces in Burma.

December 1944

Transported material and equipment for the Ledo Road.

Early January 1945

Moved to Agartala, Tripura, India with the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Late January 1945

Moved to Chittagong, Bengal, India with the 13th Combat Cargo Squadron.

February 1945

Transported men, mules, and boats to support the Allied crossing of the Irrawaddy River, Burma.

May 1945

Dropped Gurkha paratroops during the assault on Rangoon.

13 May 1945

Damaged beyond repair in Payagyi, Burma in a landing accident.

Pilot: Kenneth E. Bohns

The Commando was probably involved in an accident with Commando 42-101178, while supporting the Allied troops taking Rangoon, Burma.

16 May 1945

Condemned for salvage.

Last edited: 03/09/2020