Summary The C-46 Commando flew in World War II & transitioned to civilian cargo. Military role: important in Asia-Pacific, "Flying the Hump" over the Himalayas. Despite challenges in handling & maintenance, C-46 served into the 21st century.
The Curtiss C-46 Commando played a major role in World War II Allied operations in Asia and the Pacific. It is an aircraft with a rich history. The Curtiss-Wright company built over 3,000 of the type for the war effort.
Many survived the end of WII hostilities and returned to see civilian service , transitioning from military personnel and matériel transport to civilian cargo aircraft. The C-46 continued to see government service as a covert operations platform all the way up to the Vietnam War and beyond. Here is a detailed look at its development, military service, and post-war use: Development and design The Curtiss C-46 Commando originated from the Curtiss CW-20 , initially conceived in 1940 as a pressurized high-altitude airliner.
Designed to compete with the Douglas DC-4 and Boeing 307 Stratoliner, the C-46 was intended for luxury passenger service, featuring a spacious cabin with potential sleeping berths. The onset of WWII shifted its role from a civilian airliner to a military transport aircraft. The C-46 is a low-wing, twin-engine aircraft powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 radial engines, each producing 2,000 horsepower.
It was the largest twin-engine aircraft of its time, with a wingspan of 108 feet and a maximum takeo.