Commando 44-77641

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

USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77641

CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 33037

COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1573

FATE: Written off

  January 1945 to April 1945

  44-77641 - USAAF (USA)

5 January 1945

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

15 February 1945

Assigned to the 8^th Air Force.

Departed the USA for Europe.

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

Probably took part in Operation Varsity.

11 April 1945

Damaged beyond repair at Grevillers-Achiet (B-54), France in a ground fire (no fatalities).

A fire erupted near the left engine exhaust while the Crew Chief was conducting the preflight inspection of the aircraft. Ground crews did not succeed in putting out the fire before it spread out to the rest of the airplane.

Condemned for salvage, non-battle damage.

Right: what remained of 44-77641 after the 11 April 1945 fire.
Photo credit: unknown