The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

Commando 42-96697

Aircraft Identification

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

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96697

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30359

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU895

FATE: Written off

Operational Record

  August 1944 to April 1945

  42-96697 - USAAF (USA)


7 August 1944

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

21 September 1944

Assigned to ATC India-China Division.

13 December 1944

Received major damage in Sookerating, Assam, India in a structural failure due to weather.

Pilot: 1st Lt John K. Baisch

[date reported as 14 December 1944 by AB, which says it hit a wire]

Probably condemned for salvage, and later reinstated.

6 April 1945

Went missing over the China-Burma-India theatre following an engine failure.

Pilot: Robert K. Swallen

Condemned for salvage.