The Curtiss Commando Page
The Curtiss Commando Page

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.

  September 1947 to unknown date

  44-77605 - USAF (USA)


18 September 1947

Transferred.

  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

  NO REG - SAYLIN CORPORATION (USA)


27 May 1960

Purchased from USAF.

  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Registration cancelled, withdrawn from use.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