Commando 42-96786

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-1-CU Commando

USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 42-96786

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 30448

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU984

FATE: Written off

  September 1944 to February 1945

  42-96786 - USAAF (USA)

15 September 1944

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

Assigned to the 2^nd Combat Cargo Group, 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron based at Baer Field, IN.

Christened "Sleepy Time Gal".

Ferried from Fairfield-Suisun AAB, CA to Nadzab Field, Australian New Guinea .

Crew:
1^st Lt. Robert A. Keendy, Pilot
2^nd Lt. Charles C. Tobin, Copilot

30 October 1944

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

November 1944

Moved to Finschhafen Dreger Field, Australian New Guinea with the 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

January 1945

Moved to Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies with the 8^th Combat Cargo Squadron.

Involved in the transport of supplies and troops to American and Filipino forces in the Philippines.

28 February 1945

Went missing off Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (4/4 missing).

Crew:
2^nd Lt Glen R. Jacobs, Pilot (pictured right)
2^nd Lt George A. Pfrommer, Copilot
Sgt Walter F. Plisga, Radio Operator
S/Sgt Merle L. Bice, Crew Chief

The Commando was operating a flight between Biak AAF, Dutch New Guinea and Darwin, as part of a flight of several Commandos. The flight encountered bad weather, and the aircraft went missing. It is believed it crashed somewhere off the Darwin River estuary.

[also reported on 21 February 1945, but infirmed by FAG; no info on AAIR]

2 March 1945

Condemned for salvage.