Curtiss C-46 Commando facts for kids
Quick facts for kids C-46 Commando |
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| A wartime photograph of a US Army Air Forces (USAAF) C-46 Commando | |
| Role | Military transport aircraft |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss-Wright |
| First flight | 26 March 1940 |
| Introduction | 1941 |
| Status | Active in limited civilian use |
| Primary users | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force United States Marine Corps United States Navy |
| Produced | 1940–1945 |
| Number built | 3,181 |
The Curtiss C-46 Commando was a large American cargo airplane. It was mainly used by the US Army Air Forces and the US Navy. This powerful aircraft played a big role in World War II and later in the Korean War. The US Navy called it the R5C-1. After 1945, many C-46s were sold to airlines all over the world. People sometimes confuse it with the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, another famous transport plane from that era.
Contents
The C-46 Commando: A Wartime Workhorse
The C-46 Commando was designed by the Curtiss-Wright company. It first flew in 1940 and was introduced in 1941. This plane was built to carry a lot of cargo and many people. It was one of the biggest twin-engine aircraft used during World War II.
Flying During World War II
During World War II, the C-46 Commando was very important. It carried supplies, equipment, and troops to battlefields. It also helped evacuate wounded soldiers. One of its most famous jobs was flying over "The Hump." This was a dangerous route over the Himalayan Mountains. It supplied Chinese and Allied forces fighting against Japan. The C-46 was known for its ability to fly at high altitudes with heavy loads.
After the Wars: Civilian Life
After World War II ended in 1945, many C-46 planes were no longer needed by the military. They were then sold to civilian airlines and cargo companies. These planes continued to serve as reliable cargo carriers for many years. Some C-46s are still flying today, mostly for cargo in remote areas. This shows how tough and well-built these aircraft were.
Images for kids
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A US C-46 aircraft conducting an aerial evacuation of wounded American troops from Manila, the capital of the Philippines, shortly after US forces retook the city after intense fighting with the Japanese.
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C-46F "China Doll", Camarillo Airport Museum
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The XC-113
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Curtiss C-46R/Super 46C post-war modified C-46D of LANSA Honduras in 1978
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Curtiss C-46 "Commando" in flight
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C-46 from Republic of China Air Force, at the RoCAF Museum, Taiwan
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People's Liberation Army Air Force C-46 at Beijing Civil Aviation Museum
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C-46A 2 of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force
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"Working office" of a C-46, c. 2006, over northern Manitoba
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An APU of "China Doll"
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Buffalo Airways C-46 in northern Canada, c. 2005
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Lamb Air C-46
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C-GIBX from First Nations Transportation, c. 2006
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An Aeropesca Colombia C-46 at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Belize
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C-46A of Caraibische Lucht Transport (Curaçao) in 1970
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C-46D of Lufthansa/Capitol Air at Düsseldorf Airport in 1964
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3-view line drawing of the Curtiss R5C-1 Commando
See also
In Spanish: Curtiss C-46 Commando para niños
