Commando 44-77656

VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77656

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33052

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1588

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to June 1945

  44-77656 - USAAF (USA)

8 January 1945

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

27 January 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

February 1945

Assigned to the 9^th Air Force, 52^nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313^th Troop Carrier Group, 47^th Troop Carrier Squadron based at RAF Folkingham, England.

Marked "N3".

24 March 1945

Damaged by flak during Operation Varsity.

The Commando was taking part in Operation Varsity, carrying paratroopers of the 513^th Parachute Infantry Regiment to a dropzone near Wesel, Germany as Chalk 63. It was hit by flak and was eventually forced to land at Openhoven (Y-32), Belgium.

5 June 1945

Condemned for salvage, non-battle damage.