Commando 42-61053
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-40-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-61053
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 26928
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU568
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
April 1944 to April 1945
42-61053 - USAAF (USA)
5 April 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
16 May 1944
Assigned to ATC India-China Wing.
16 April 1945
Went missing 80 km southwest of Shingbwiyang, Burma after the crew bailed out (0/3 fatalities).
Pilot: Lt Peter R. Delonga
The Commando was damaged over Burma for unknown reasons and the crew had to bail out. They found shelter amidst Naga headhunters and stayed with them in the Burmese jungle for 13 days before being rescued by US forces.
17 April 1945
Condemned for salvage.
Right: Peter DeLonga, “Hump Happy Pete”, was to later become a USAF Major General.
Photo credit: Steven DeLonga / The Georgetowner
