Commando 43-43340
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46A-1-HI Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 43-43340
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): -
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): HI2
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
November 1944 to September 1947
43-43340 - USAAF (USA)
November 1944
Delivered from the Higgins Industries factory in New Orleans, LA.
Right: one of the two Higgins-built Commandos, possibly 43-43340, on the Michoud factory production line in New Orleans, LA, 1944.
Photo credit: USAutoIndustryWorldWarTwo.com
September 1947 to March 1965
43-43340 - USAF (USA)
18 September 1947
Transferred.
Unknown date
Modified by Curtiss-Wright for USAF.
Unknown date
Assigned to 2343rd Air Force Reserve Training Center, based in Portland, OR.
28 November 1957
Assigned to the Arizona Aircraft Storage Squadron and stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
1 April 1964
Sent for reclamation at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
March 1965 to September 1966
N4657S - FOUR STAR AVIATION INC. (USA)
2 March 1965
Purchased less engines from USAF. Total airframe time 4,098 hours.
September 1966 to 1969
CP-749 - RUTAS AEREAS UNCIA (BOLIVIA)
29 September 1966
Registered.
24 August 1967
Damaged in an accident at San Pedro, Bolivia.
1969 to January 1973
CP-749 - SERVICIOS AEREOS CURTISS (BOLIVIA)
1969
Purchased.
January or February 1970
Damaged in a forced landing at Santa Barbara, Bolivia.
26 May 1972
Damaged at La Paz El Alto, Bolivia in a landing accident (0/3 fatalities). [occurence also listed as taking place on 27 May 1972]
The Commando was operating a cargo flight into La Paz El Alto, Bolivia with three crewmembers on board. During the approach, the landing gear was lowered and it did lock down properly. Touchdown was normal, however after a 1,300-meter rollout the right main gear leg began to retract slowly. Suddenly, the left main gear collapsed. The tailwheel remained down, but the aircraft belly, propellers and engines were damaged.
20 January 1973
Damaged beyond repair at Reyes, Bolivia.
Last edited: 12/12/2023