List of preserved Curtiss C-46 Commandos explained

See main article: article and Curtiss C-46 Commando.

This is a list of surviving Curtiss C-46 Commandos, including both airworthy and on display or stored aircraft.

Flying units

As of August 2021, there are three aircraft known to be regularly flown in active revenue service; one with Everts Air Cargo, N54514 Maid in Japan and two with Buffalo Airways. In addition, there is one airworthy Museum example; N78774 Tinker Belle which frequently takes part in Spring through Autumn airshows and museum events. One of Everts Air Cargo, N1822M Salmon Ella, was withdrawn from use in July 2018 after an accident, but has returned to active flight operations. Three others, N1837M Hot Stuff, N7848B Dumbo and N1651M are in storage. Everts also has several mothballed air-frames which they hold mainly for spare parts, but some of them could possibly be returned to service if the need arose.

On 27th February 2023 and March 13th, 2023, N7848B Dumbo and N1837M Hot Stuff respectively were caught on FlightAware.com departing and landing at Kenai Municipal Airport.

Other airworthy units

There are several stored examples in Bolivia, however none of them are currently active. One of them, CP-1655 owned by Eco Express Cargo Services, was being brought back to serviceable condition prior to 2012,[1] and one more (CP-973) is set up for passenger configuration, however it is reportedly now up for sale.[2] The future use of these Bolivian examples is uncertain as the C-46 has not seen any use since the crash of CP-1319 (Skyteam Flight Training[3]) in 2012.

There is one additional stored example registered C-GIBX which is stored serviceable, but with the Certificate of Registration cancelled, at Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. This aircraft was tied up in receivership, however according to First Nations Transport, as of Jan 2016, the aircraft is claimed to be airworthy with two new engines and available for sale with the fire bottles and props needing updates.

One last example; N53594 China Doll was airworthy and flown by the Commemorative Air Force Museum, however it is currently grounded due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding propeller time as well as having corrosion issues. She was originally scheduled to be restored back to airworthy status by 2019,[4] [5] however the severity of the corrosion was more extensive than first thought and the funds to bring her back to serviceable condition are not currently available.

Survivors

Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

As of January 2016, the Brazilian Register lists PP-BTP PP-BTZ PP-ITE PP-NAO PP-NMH PP-VCE PT-AYA PT-LBP[13] All show cancelled airworthiness certificates. PP-VCE & PT-LBP are confirmed preserved, PP-NMH exists derelict, however it is not known if any of the other 5 listed still survive.

Canada

According to the Transport Canada database there are four C-46's currently registered.[16] Two are active, one is stored and one was recently withdrawn from use after crash landing in 2015.

China

Haiti

Honduras

India

Israel

Japan

Mexico

Philippines

South Korea

Taiwan

Thailand

United States

Airworthy
C-46D Commando
C-46F Commando
On Display
C-46A Commando
C-46D Commando
C-46F Commando
Under restoration or in storage
C-46A Commando
C-46D Commando
C-46F Commando

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AviacionBoliviana.net . 2016-02-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120710204027/http://aviacionboliviana.net/civil/sllpspotting/CP-1655.htm . 2012-07-10 .
  2. Web site: Platinum Fighter Sales. Platinumfighters.com\accessdate=2017-03-31.
  3. Web site: Bienvenidos a Skyteam Bolivia - Escuela de aviación . Skyteambolivia.com . 2015-04-28 . 2017-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170723060051/http://www.skyteambolivia.com/index.php/en . 2017-07-23 . dead .
  4. Web site: C-46 China Doll . 2016-01-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160130171453/http://commemorativeairforce.org/airplanes/sponsorship/12planesofchristmas/c-46-china-doll . 2016-01-30 .
  5. Web site: Curtiss C-46 Commando "China Doll" - Picture of Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum, Camarillo . TripAdvisor . 2017-03-31.
  6. Web site: Gerardo E. H. . Pasión Aeronáutica Argentina: C-46 de Loreto se traslada . Pasionaeronauticaargentina.blogspot.ca . 2004-02-26 . 2017-03-31.
  7. Web site: Roll Out: Trasladaron el Curtiss de Loreto . Aerospotter.blogspot.ca . 5 September 2008. 2017-03-31.
  8. Web site: Roll Out: Sobre los aviones de Loreto . Aerospotter.blogspot.ca . 26 August 2015. 2017-03-31.
  9. Web site: Lineas Aereas Canedo . Michaelprophet.com . 2017-03-31.
  10. Web site: AviacionBoliviana.net . 2016-02-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120710212304/http://aviacionboliviana.net/civil/sllpspotting/CP-1080.htm . 2012-07-10 .
  11. Web site: AviacionBoliviana.net . 2016-02-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120710212140/http://aviacionboliviana.net/civil/sllpspotting/CP-987.htm . 2012-07-10 .
  12. Web site: AviacionBoliviana.net . 2016-01-29 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120513064404/http://www.aviacionboliviana.net/civil/perfil_eco.htm . 2012-05-13 .
  13. Web site: Consultas ao RAB . Anac.gov.br . 2017-03-31.
  14. Web site: Especial: Curtiss C-46 da SAVA abandonado em Itacoatiara | Manaus Spotting Team . Spottermanaus.blogspot.ca . 2017-03-31.
  15. Web site: Museu Eduardo André Matarazzo . 2016-01-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160124193234/http://www.museueduardoamatarazzo.com.br/ . 2016-01-24 .
  16. http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-Sur/2/CCARCS-RIACC/RchSimpRes.aspx?cn=
  17. Web site: CCARCS-RIACC - Aircraft Details . Pps.tc.gc.ca . 28 August 2013. 2017-03-31.
  18. Web site: CCARCS-RIACC - Aircraft Details . Pps.tc.gc.ca . 28 August 2013. 2017-03-31.
  19. Web site: CCARCS-RIACC - Aircraft Details . Pps.tc.gc.ca . 28 August 2013. 2021-03-05.
  20. Web site: Luftwaffe A.S: Eye-Catching AFB: RANGHE ZHEN (China) . Luftwaffeas.blogspot.ca . 2012-02-02 . 2017-03-31.
  21. Web site: Archived copy . 2016-01-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303123704/http://www.oldwings.nl/st/foreigners.pdf . 2016-03-03 .
  22. Web site: Assessment of capabilities of the underground bases of China Air Force (Part 2) | Encyclopedia of safety . Survincity.com . 2017-03-31.
  23. Web site: China Aviation Museum - Datangshan - Beijing - China . Aviationmuseum.eu . 2016-11-07 . 2017-03-31.
  24. Web site: 民航博物馆. Caacmuseum.cn. 2017-03-31. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150510174439/http://www.caacmuseum.cn/Museum/NewsFrame.aspx?Type=2&&ClassifyID=9&&ID=157. 2015-05-10.
  25. Web site: www.aviationmuseum.eu . Aviationmuseum.eu . 2016-11-07 . 2017-03-31.
  26. Web site: Google Earth Discovery - the first C-46 Commando.
  27. Web site: Thompson. Paul. JASDF – Where Are They Now?. J-HangarSpace. 31 March 2017.
  28. Web site: Commando/42-101231. Warbird Registry. Warbird Resource Group. 3 April 2015.
  29. Web site: LAAHS - Mexican Smugglies-- . 2016-02-05 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160205141040/http://www.laahs.com/content/114-Mexican-Smugglies/view/2 . 2016-02-05 .
  30. Web site: Photo of Avión Curtiss C-46 Estadounidense . Panoramio . 2010-08-14 . 2017-03-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170204015825/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/39276921 . 2017-02-04 . dead .
  31. Web site: Commando/44-77592. Warbird Registry. Warbird Resource Group. 3 April 2015.
  32. Web site: www.aviationmuseum.eu . Aviationmuseum.eu . 2016-12-04 . 2017-03-31.
  33. Web site: Commando/44-78738. Warbird Registry. Warbird Resource Group. 3 April 2015.
  34. Web site: Curtiss Wright C-46. Everts Air. evertsair.com. 17 August 2021.
  35. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N54514]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  36. Web site: Warroirs and Warbirds Museum Collection. warriorsandwarbirds.com. 17 August 2021.
  37. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N78774]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  38. Web site: R5C (C-46) COMMANDO. National Naval Aviation Museum. Naval Aviation Museum Foundation. 13 November 2019.
  39. Web site: C-46D "COMMANDO". Museum of Aviation. 31 March 2017.
  40. Web site: Hurlburt Field Memorial Airpark Guide. Hurlburt Field. 13 November 2019.
  41. Web site: Aircraft on Display. Castle Air Museum. 13 November 2019.
  42. Web site: Surviving C-46. Airborne Troop Carrier. 31 March 2017.
  43. Web site: COMMANDO. Pima Air & Space Museum. Pimaair.org. 13 November 2019.
  44. Web site: Curtiss C-46D Commando. National Museum of the US Air Force. 31 March 2017. 25 January 2016.
  45. Web site: Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42. City of Palmdale. City of Palmdale, California. 13 November 2019.
  46. Web site: CURTISS C-46F COMMANDO. Commemorative Air Force. Commemorative Air Force, Inc.. 31 March 2017.
  47. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N53594]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  48. Web site: Aircraft. Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. 31 March 2017.
  49. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N7848B]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  50. Web site: Flying & Static Aircraft. Planes of Fame. 13 November 2019.
  51. Web site: Curtiss-Wright C-46F Commando. Yanks Air Museum. 4 February 2017. 13 November 2019.
  52. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N74173]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  53. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N54584]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  54. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N1837M]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.
  55. Web site: FAA REGISTRY [N1822M]]. Federal Aviation Administration. U.S. Department of Transportation. 17 August 2021.