The Curtiss 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 Curtiss C-46
was originally intended as a civil airliner, designed for up to 36
seats in a pressurized cabin. However, the U.S. military purchased
all Curtiss C-46 production when World War II broke out.
The military Curtiss C-46 differed from the
civil versions in having larger doors and a reinforced deck for the
handling of heavy cargo.
With upgrades,
the Curtiss C-46 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 Curtiss C-46 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 shortcoming of its short fuselage and high
profile is its difficulty to fly in strong cross winds.
The Curtiss C-46 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 aircraft of all
types were produced.
Curtiss
C-46
American Eagle
Curtiss C-46.
Pictured above is the Curtiss C-46 from
American Eagle. It has a 118" wingspan. Construction
materials used are epoxy glass for the fuselage and foam for the
wings. You will need G38 or larger engines for power.
The first picture below is of a scratch
built Curtiss C-46 by Sergio Vergara. Wingspan is 122".
Sergio finished his rc 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.
The second picture below is of the Curtiss C-46 built from
Diels Engineering FF Plans. They were enlarged and converted to
produce a 59" wingspan scale model radio control
airplane.
Kit Cutters has a Curtiss
C-46 for sale. It is made from Jerry Bates Plans that are available
separately. Wingspan is 96" and length is 68".
Power may be from .40 to .60 two cycle engines. Weight is around 16
1/2 lbs. It is in the next picture below.
The Fly RC Models Curtiss C-46 has a 114" wingspan
and is 77" long. It needs from .90 to 1.20 two stroke or
from 1.20 to 1.50 four stroke engine power.
Pictured on the bottom of this page is the Curtiss C-46 from
a Williams Brothers kit. The scale model airplane has a wingspan 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.
We knew WW II veterans who flew "over the
Hump" in the Curtiss C-46, and the aircraft have a special
meaning to us.
Please email
us if you know of a Curtiss C-46 we need to include
here.
Curtiss C-46 Commando
