Commando 44-77583
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77583
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32979
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1515
FATE: Written off
Operational Record
December 1944 to March 1945
44-77583 - USAAF (USA)
16 December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
1 February 1945
Assigned to the 8th Air Force.
Unknown date
Assigned to the 9th Air Force, 52nd Troop Carrier Wing, 313th Troop Carrier Group, 48th Troop Carrier Squadron based at Grevillers-Achiet, France.
Marked "Z7".
24 March 1945
Damaged beyond repair over Germany during Operation Varsity (no fatalities).
Crew:
2nd Lt. Merton W. Larson, Pilot (injured, later flew in Korea, retired a USAF Major and went on to fly for Ozark Airlines, pictured right)
2nd Lt. Charles E. Combs, Copilot (injured)
Sgt. William F. Barlow, Radio Operator
T/Sgt. Joseph R. Shilts, Crew Chief
The Commando took off at 0940LT as a spare aircraft to replace Chalk 41, which had to return due to engine problems after takeoff. It flew the same paratroopers to Wesel, Germany as Chalk 41, was damaged beyond repair and failed to return. There were no fatalities.
Condemned, missing in action.
Last edited: 09/04/2024