Commando 44-77474

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77474

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32870

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1406

FATE: Written off

  November 1944 to March 1945

  44-77474 - USAAF (USA)

25 November 1944

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

29 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, 48^th Troop Carrier Squadron based at Grevillers-Achiet (B-54), France.

Marked "Z7" and christened "Evelyn".

24 March 1945

Went missing over Germany during Operation Varsity (3/4 fatalities). [MACR 13431]

Pilot: 1^st Lt. Junior R. Barton (killed, pictured right)

The Commando was carrying paratroopers of the 17^th Airborne Division as part of Operation Varsity. After dropping its paratroopers over Wesel, Germany, it was hit by flak and had to make an emergency landing. Three crew members were killed while the fourth one received light injuries.

Condemned, missing in action.