Delta Air Lines

  March 1925 to present

  United States of America

TYPE: Airline

IATA/ICAO CODES: DL / DAL

HEADQUARTERS: Atlanta, GA

OTHER NAMES: Huff Daland Dusters Inc. (1925-1928), Delta Air Service (1928-1930), Delta Air Corporation (1930-1934), Delta Air Lines (since 1934)

SUBSEQUENT NAME: Nil

In the immediate postwar years, there were forecasts for an explosion in air freight volumes, which never really came about. Nevertheless several of the major US airlines dabbled in cargo only operations to some degree, even though very few acquired bespoke cargo aircraft. Most were happy to convert their existing piston propliners or acquire freighter versions of aircraft they already operated. Delta was an exception and acquired new freighter types to satisfy demand.

During World War II, Delta had gained experience of freight hauling by flying for the USAAF Air Transport Command. Following the end of hostilities, a pair of surplus Douglas C-47's were acquired for cargo only operations. They linked Atlanta, GA with Chicago, IL via Cincinnati, OH. A third aircraft was added during 1949. Even though the C-47's served well, by the mid-50's they weren't really competitive anymore. Delta acquired five second-hand Commandos and put them into service from October 1957. All five had originally been flown by Civil Air Transport of Taiwan. Delta's cargo business had expanded by 724% since 1947 and the Commandos allowed for an increase in cargo capacity by 600%. Delta advertised that the Commando had extra large doors "large enough to load a Cadillac automobile without scratching the paint job."

The Commandos continued to serve into the mid-1960's, even after the new jet fleets began to enter service with their huge belly freight capacity. They were replaced by Lockheed L100-10's from September 1966.

March 1957 to January 1967*

Delta acquired five freighter Commandos from the Asiatic Aeronautical Company Ltd. (effectively Civil Air Transport) in 1957. They all received the Riddle C-46R conversion and were dubbed "Delta Super D-46".

One aircraft, N9885F, was written off at Baton Rouge, LA on 24 November 1964.

• Riddle C-46R Commando: N9873F, N9874F, N9883F, N9884F, N9885F