The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 42-96548

Aircraft Identification

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96548

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30210

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU746

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  June 1944 to September 1944

  42-96548 - USAAF (USA)


19 June 1944

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

26 July 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Division.

2 September 1944

Went missing near Yunnanyi, Yunnan, China (0/4 fatalities).

Pilot: Jack A. McAuley

Enroute, the Commando suffered an engine failure. The Captain ordered his crew to abandon the aircraft and to bail out. While the aircraft dove to the ground, crashed and was destroyed, all four crew members were later found alive.

Condemned for salvage.