Commando 42-96553

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

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96553

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30215

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU751

FATE: Written off

  June 1944 to October 1944

  42-96553 - USAAF (USA)

19 June 1944

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

19 July 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Division.

10 October 1944

Destroyed over Hsinching, Sichuan, China in a midair collision with Commando 42-96699 (fatalities).

Pilot: Cpt Estes T. Swindle (killed) [quoted on his grave as belonging to 70th Fighter Squadron?]

13 October 1944

Condemned for salvage, “washout”.