Commando 42-61053

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

  April 1944 to April 1945

  42-61053 - USAAF (USA)

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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