The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 42-61042

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-41-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-61042

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26917

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU557

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  April 1944 to March 1945

  42-61042 - USAAF (USA)


18 April 1944

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

21 May 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Wing.

30 May 1944

Assigned to ATC North African Wing.

15 June 1944

Assigned to 20th Air Force, XX Bomber Command, 2nd Air Transport Squadron (Mobile), based at RAF Kalaikunda, Bengal, India.

31 October 1944

Moved with 2nd Air Transport Squadron to Dergaon, Assam, India.

November 1944

Moved with 2nd Air Transport Squadron to Luliang, Yunnan, China.

5 March 1945

Damaged beyond repair in Luliang, Yunnan, China in a takeoff accident.

Pilot: Jesse C. Ward

The pilot lost control of the Commando while taking off in a strong crosswind, and run off the runway into a ditch.

7 March 1945

Condemned for salvage.