Commando 44-77515
Aircraft Identification
VARIANT: Curtiss C-46D-10-CU Commando
USAAF SERIAL NUMBER (S/N): 44-77515
CURTISS CONSTRUCTION NUMBER (C/N): 32911
COMMANDO LINE NUMBER (L/N): CU1447
FATE: Unknown
Operational Record
December 1944 to September 1947
44-77515 - USAAF (USA)
December 1944
Delivered from the Curtiss-Wright factory in Buffalo, NY.
September 1947 to February 1956
44-77515 - USAF (USA)
18 September 1947
Transferred.
Unknown date
Assigned to the 437th Troop Carrier Group, Medium, 83rd Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium based at Brady AB, Japan.
25 December 1950
Received major damage at Itazuke AB, Japan in a ground accident due to a mechanical failure.
Pilot: Gilbert F. Klarner (survived)
7 November 1951
Received minor damage at Kimpo AB, Korea in a taxi accident.
Pilot: Harry Marcus
February 1956 to 1976
61-1128 - JASDF (JAPAN AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE) (JAPAN)
3 February 1956
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, left: 61-1128 on final approach to Iruma AB, Japan, unknown date.
Photo credit: unknown / flyteam.jp
Below, right: the absolute coolness of a 1st Airborne Brigade Japanese paratrooper on training, lying in the grass at Shimousa AB, Japan, 1968.
Photo credit: hiro-hiro@250magna / X
Bottom, left: pretty albeit low-definition shot of 61-1128 flying in formation with two sisterships.
Photo credit: www.mod.go.jp
Bottom, right: 61-1128 on another final approach, unknown date & location.
Photo credit: unknown / ameblo.jp
1976 to October 1977
44-77515 - USAF (USA)
1976
Returned from lease and stored in Japan.
13 October 1977
Offered for sale at Miho AB, Japan. Total airframe time: 11,892 hours.
October 1977 to late 1978
N54511 - PRIVATE (USA)
October 1977
Purchased by Wayne Craft of Jackson, MS.
August 1978
Registered.
Late 1978
NO REG - OASIS (ORIENT AIR SYSTEMS & INTEGRATED SERVICES) (PHILIPPINES)
Late 1978
Leased from Wayne Craft.
Ferried out of Japan to Manila, Luzon, Philippines for delivery to OASIS. During the flight, suffered engine problems and diverted to Guam, Mariana Islands.
Abandoned in Guam, not taken up.
Fate unknown.
Right: N54511 in Guam in 1979 or 1980, still wearing JASDF's livery with titles covered.
Photo credit: Randy Studer / WarBirdRegistry
Last edited: 16/03/2024