Commando 42-96783
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-1-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96783
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30445
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU981
FATE: Broken up
Operational Record
September 1944 to April 1947
42-96783 - 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. Donald B. Dewit, Pilot
2nd Lt. John M. Van Hise, Copilot
30 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.
September 1945
Moved to Yokota AB, Japan with the 8th Combat Cargo Squadron.
ca 1946
Assigned to Nichols Field, Philippines .
21 April 1947
Condemned for salvage, probably by the Army-Navy Liquidation Commission.
4 January 1947
Reclamation completed. [dates discrepancy]
Last edited: 03/09/2020