Commando 44-77511
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77511
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32907
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1443
FATE: Unknown
Operational Record
December 1944 to September 1947
44-77511 - USAAF (USA)
December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
September 1955 to 1977
51-1102 - JASDF (JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE) (JAPAN)
5 September 1955
Leased from the US Department of Defense as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP).
Assigned to the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron based at Miho AB, Japan.
1958
Assigned to Kisarazu AB, Japan, still with the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron.
1968
Assigned to Iruma AB, Japan, still with the 402nd Tactical Airlift Squadron.
Below, lines 1 & 2: 51-1102 giving a flight display at the Gifu AB, Japan airshow in November 1976.
Photo credit: blog.livedoor.jp
Bottom: 51-1102 at Tsuiki AB, Japan, unknown date.
Photo credit: TKO / flyteam.jp
Bottom, right: 51-1102 at Atsugi, Japan in October 1976.
Photo credit: unknown / planeslides.com
1977 to October 1977
44-77509 - USAF (USA)
1977
Returned from lease and stored in Japan. [probably 9 May 1979]
13 October 1977
Offered for sale at Miho AB, Japan. Total airframe time: 11,853 hours.
October 1977 to unknown date
N54513 - PRIVATE (USA)
October 1977
Purchased by Wayne Craft of Jackson, MS.
Probably stored at Seletar AB, Singapore.
28 July 1978
Registered.
31 October 1979
Registration cancelled, exported to the Philippines.
Unknown date to 1991
NO REG - OASIS (ORIENT AIR SYSTEMS & INTEGRATED SERVICES) (PHILIPPINES)
Unknown date
Leased from Wayne Craft.
Delivered to Manila, Luzon, Philippines.
Presumably never registered in the Philippines, possibly used for parts or future restoration project.
Abandoned on the ramp in Manila, fate unknown.
Last edited: 21/01/2024