C-46 Commando

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C-46 Commando

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C-46 Commando

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Description

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RoleCargo transport

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Crew4 + 50 passengers

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Dimensions

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Length76 ft 4 in23.27 m

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Wingspan108 ft 1 in32.9 m

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Height21 ft 9 in6.63 m

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Wing area1,360 ft²126.8 m²

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Weights

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Empty32,400 lb14,696 kg

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Loaded

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Maximum take-off48,000 lb21,772 kg

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Powerplant

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Engines2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 2-row, 18-cylinder radial piston

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Power2,000 hp1,490 kW

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Performance

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Maximum speed269 mph433 km/h

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Ferry range2,950 mi4,748 km

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Service ceiling27,600 ft8,410 m

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Rate of climb1,300 ft/min396 m/min

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The Curtiss C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Force during World War II.

Related Topics:
Curtiss - United States Army Air Force - World War II

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Also known to the men who flew them as "The Whale". The C-46 served a similar role as its brother the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but was not quite as famous or as heavily produced. The Navy/Marine Corps version was known as the R5C.

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This aircraft had a patented fuselage conventionally referred to as a "figure of eight" which enabled it to better withstand the pressure differential at high altitudes. This was done by having the sides of the fuselage creased at the level of the floor that not only separated the two portions but shared in the stress of each, rather than just supporting itself. As a result, this aircraft could carry more cargo higher than other Allied aircraft, and was used to carry cargo over the Himalayas.

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