Curtiss C-46 Commando
Curtiss-Wright · United States · first flew 1940 · transport aircraft
The Curtiss C-46 Commando was a large American twin-engine transport that served extensively in World War II, particularly on the 'Hump' route over the Himalayas between India and China. Its double-bubble pressurised fuselage set it apart from contemporary transports.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Large double-bubble fuselage cross-section distinguishes it from C-47 |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Large double-bubble fuselage cross-section distinguishes it from C-47
- Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radials in prominent cowlings
- High-mounted tailplane and distinctive figure-8 fuselage shape
The unique double-bubble fuselage cross-section — forming a figure-8 shape — is the definitive recognition feature; larger and more rotund than the C-47, with noticeably bigger radial engine cowlings.
Specifications
- The Curtiss C-46 Commando has a length of 23.27 m (76 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 32.92 m (108 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 435 km/h (270 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Originally designed as a pressurised airliner, the CW-20 prototype first flew in 1940 but wartime priorities led to it being redesigned as an unpressurised military freighter. The C-46 proved superior to the C-47 at high altitude and became the primary type used on the Hump airlift, carrying more cargo per flight than the Douglas transport. Post-war, surplus Commandos flew with South American and Asian carriers for decades.
Variants
The C-46A was the main production variant; the C-46D featured a revised cargo door; the R5C-1 served with the US Marine Corps.
Where you'll see it
Served with the USAAF and subsequently with many civilian and military operators worldwide; the type lingered in South American cargo service into the 1990s.
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- Fiat G.12
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