Commando 44-77452

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77452

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32848

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1384

FATE: Written off

  November 1944 to January 1945

  44-77452 - USAAF (USA)

24 November 1944

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

Assigned to the 5^th Air Force, 54^th Troop Carrier Wing, 433^rd Troop Carrier Group, 69^th Troop Carrier Squadron operating in the Southwest Pacific theater.

15 January 1945

Ferried through Brisbane Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

Went missing between Biak AAF, Papua, Dutch East Indies and Morotai, Moluccas, Dutch East Indies (8/8 missing). [same date!]

Crew:
1^st Lt. Thomas O. Walmsley, Pilot
2^nd Lt. Robert F. Winberg, Copilot
Corp. George Price, Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Patsy V. Derrico, Engineer

The Commando was conducting an operational military flight between Biak AAF, Papua and Morotai, Moluccas in the Dutch East Indies with four crew members and four passengers on board. The aircraft disappeared, was never found and is considered a possible battle casualty.

8 February 1945

Condemned, missing.