NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
The C-46 was the largest twin engine aircraft to fly U.S. military operations during the second World War. The aircraft, built by the Curtiss Company, and known as the Commando, was used to transport troops and haul cargo.
The twin engine airplane was originally intended as a civil airliner, designed for up to 36 seats in a pressurized cabin. However, the U.S. military purchased all C-46 Commando production when World War II broke out.
The military aircraft differed from the civil versions in having larger doors and a reinforced deck for the handling of heavy cargo.
With upgrades, the C-46 Commando became the major cargo hauling aircraft of the Pacific Theatre. It is probably best known for its missions flying supplies over the Himalaya Mountains between Burma and China known as the “Hump.”
This was primarily in support of the Flying Tigers and the Chinese Army. The aircraft also saw limited action over Germany deploying paratroopers.
The design of the aircraft was unique for a transport aircraft of the time. Its fuselage was shaped to enhance high altitude pressurized flight. Powerful engines combined with extensive streamlining enabled it to cruise at higher speeds and altitudes, and carry higher payloads than other twin engine transports of the time.
The Commando has had a long and distinguished career. After World War II it served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It remained deployed with the American military into1968.
A small number of aircraft continue to fly today for companies around the world. A total of over 3,000 Curtiss C-46 Commando aircraft of all types were produced.
Pictured above is the rc C-46 Commando built from an American Eagle kit. The giant scale radio control airplane has a 118" wing span. Construction materials used for the C-46 Commando rc airplane are epoxy glass for the fuselage and foam for the wings. You will need G38 or larger engines to power the radio control airplane.
The first two pictures below are of a scratch built rc C-46 Commando by Sergio Vergara. Wing span is 122". Sergio finished his C-46 Commando in flight metal and equipped it with wheel brakes, retracts, and a mini lighting system. Power comes from a pair of Saito 300 engines turning 19" three blade props. It has an all up weight of 52 lbs.
Pictured on the bottom of this page is a 1/72 scale plastic model of the rc C-46 Commando from a Williams Brothers kit. The scale model airplane has a wing span of 18". There are 91 kit parts and decals for six different paint schemes including military and civilian.
We have seen comments that extra attention is needed cleaning flash from the kit plastic parts for a proper look and fit. This appears to be the only production Curtiss C-46 Commando scale plastic model kit available, although we understand that a 1/48 scale kit, produced by the RCM Co., is available by special order through Old Model Kits.com.
We knew WWII veterans who flew "over the Hump" in the C-46 Commando, and the aircraft have a special meaning to us. It is unfortunate that there only appears to be a single rc airplane kit and a single scale plastic model kit available of this historic aircraft.
Please email us if you know of a rc C-46 Commando.
Curtiss C-46 Commando
