Commando 44-77605
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
USAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77605
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33001
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1537
FATE: Unknown
Operational Record
December 1944 to September 1947
44-77605 - USAAF (USA)
December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
Unknown date
Assigned to the 349th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 312th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Bergstrom AAF, TX.
2 May 1946
Received major damage at Bergstrom AAF, TX in a landing accident.
Pilot: David E. D'Aemond Jr.
Unknown date to November 1957
44-77605 - CALIFORNIA EASTERN AVIATION INC. (USA)
Unknown date
Probably leased from the USAF by California Eastern Aviation.
November 1957 to May 1960
44-77605 - USAF (USA)
25 November 1957
Assigned to the Arizona Aircraft Storage Squadron and stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ.
29 January 1958
Sent to reclamation.
1959
Removed from surplus list.
27 April 1960
Surplus.
May 1960 to March 1962
N9700Z - DASCOMP AIRCRAFT SUPPLIES (USA)
31 May 1960
Purchased. [there is uncertainty as to which of Saylin or Dascomp purchased the aircraft from the USAF originally]
12 August 1960
Registered, and probably overhauled.
March 1962 to September 1964
N9700Z - INTERMOUNTAIN AVIATION (USA)
20 March 1962
Purchased.
May - June 1962
Used in support of Project Coldfeet in the arctic.
22 March 1963
Performed a local demonstration flight out of Washington National, DC to an Indian delegation come to evaluate the Commando for upcoming Operation Oak Tree.
Occupants:
Capt. Connie Seigrist
Capt. Garfield Thorstud
Gp. Capt. Lalu Grewal (later Air Marshall of the Indian Air Force, flew the aircraft under supervision)
5 Indian Air Force Officers
2 Indian Intelligence Bureau Officers
September 1964 to June 1965
N56371 - CORSAIR AIR SERVICES (USA)
14 September 1964
Purchased.
27 October 1964
Reregistered.
17 June 1965
Registration cancelled, withdrawn from use.
Fate unknown.
Last edited: 09/04/2024