Commando 42-96765
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-1-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96765
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30427
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU963
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
September 1944 to September 1945
42-96765 - USAAF (USA)
15 September 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
Assigned to the 2nd Combat Cargo Group, 8th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Baer Field, IN.
Ferried from Fairfield-Suisun AAB, CA to Nadzab Field, Australian New Guinea.
Crew:
1st Lt. Robert A. Masterson, Pilot
2nd Lt. John S. Nicholson, Copilot
25 October 1944
Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.
November 1944
Moved to Finschhafen Dreger Field, Australian New Guinea with the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron.
January 1945
Moved to Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies with the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron.
Involved in the transport of supplies and troops to American and Filipino forces in the Philippines.
March 1945
Moved to Dulag Field, Philippines with the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron.
Operated flights to Australia, New Guinea, and within the Philippines, and transported personnel and supplies to the Ryukyus, evacuating casualties on the return flights.
August 1945
Moved to Bolo Point, Okinawa, Japan with the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron.
Operated flights carrying occupation forces personnel and equipment to Japan, and ferrying liberated prisoners of war to the Philippines.
Unknown date
Assigned to Nichols Field, Philippines .
17 September 1945
Damaged beyond repair in unknown circumstances. [no info on AAIR]
Condemned for salvage.
Last edited: 03/09/2020