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United States' Curtiss C-46 Commando transport¹

Curtiss C-46 Commando:
United States' Curtiss C-46 Commando

The Curtiss C-46 Commando was developed from the CW-20 which was a passenger liner that could carry 36 passengers in a pressurized cabin.¹

The CW-20 first flew on March 26, 1940.¹

After the CW-20 flew it was ordered by the United States Army Air Corps.¹

CW-20 / C-55: Had Wright R-2600 engines (1,700 HP).¹ Had a twin tail fin.¹
C-46: Tail fin was turned into a single fin.¹ Pressurized cabin system was removed.¹ Delivered in 1942.¹ Had Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines.¹ There were fewer cabin windows.¹
C-46A: Had a cargo door installed in the fuselage.¹ The floor was strengthened.¹ Folding seats were installed along the walls.¹
C-46D: Had a double cargo door installed in the fuselage.¹ Nose was modified.¹
C-46E: Had R-2800-75 engines (2,200 HP).¹ Wing tips were squared off.¹ Single cargo door.¹
C-46F: Had R-2800-75 engines (2,200 HP).¹ Wing tips were squared off.¹
C-46G: Had R-2800-34 engines.¹ Had double cargo door.¹
C-46H: Had twin tail wheels.¹ Cancelled after surrender of Japan.¹
R5C-1: United States Marine Corps version of the C-46A.¹
XC-46B: Had stepped windscreen.¹

The C-46s were used in operations over the "Hump" in China.¹

The Commandos started appearing in Europe in 1945.¹

The Commandos were used well into the 1960s.¹

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