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| C-46D Curtis Commando The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) converted three C-46s into EC-46D ECM trainers, including 91-1145 (formerly C-46A 43-47328). This Commando was flown in this role between 1973 and 1978. |
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| FS2002/2004 | |
| JRLucariny FSDS V2 24 Model | |
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| Jan/2004 | |
| Curtiss C-46 Commando (Variants / Other Names: CW-20; R5C-1) History: In March 1940, the Curtiss-Wright company first flew a new 36-seat commercial airliner design, designated the CW-20. The US Army became interested in the aircraft for its cargo/transport capabilities, and ordered a militarized version, the C-46 Commando, be produced, utilizing two 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-43 engines. |
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The Commando entered service with the USAAF in July 1942, becoming the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft in the Air Corps. |
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The first major variant to appear was the C-46A, which had a large cargo door in the left rear fuselage, 40 folding seats, a strengthened cargo floor, and higher-altitude capable engines. This last feature was to become important when the C-46 began flying cargo "over the Hump" from India to China. The C-46 was found to have much better load-hauling capabilities than the C-47 at the altitudes involved. The Commando also served in the Pacific theater, where it moved troops and supplies from island to island, contributing to the defeat of Japan. In the European Theater, C-46s served as glider tugs, towing two CG-4 gliders at a time across the Rhine River. |
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Other versions of the aircraft included the R5C-1 (US Navy/Marine Corps designation); the C-46D (personnel version with an extra door on the right side); C-46E (utility version with C-46A doors and a stepped windscreen); and C-46F (cargo model with doors on both sides and square wingtip ends). Nicknames: Whale; Dumbo; T-Cat (C-46s modified to U.S. Civil Aviation transport-category standards). |
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Specifications (C-46A): Engines: Two 2,000-hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 radial piston engines Weight: Empty 30,000 lbs., Max Takeoff 45,000 lbs. Wing Span: 108ft. 0in. Length: 76ft. 4in. Height: 21ft. 9in. Performance: Maximum Speed: 270 mph Cruising Speed: 173 mph Ceiling: 24,500 ft. Range: 3,150 miles Armament: None Number Built: 3,000+ Number Still Flying: 50+ Link |
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THE CURTISS C-46 IN BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE SERVICE The history of the Curtiss C-46 in "Força Aérea Brasileira - FAB" service is particulary interesting and little known. It began in 1947, when the businessman Vinícius Valadares Vasconcelos imported two of them from the U.S.A. On the next year, he sold them to the FAB as he had no means of maintaining the aircraft. The aircraft were designated as the C-46 and serialled FAB 2057 and FAB 2058. They were allocated to the 2º Grupo de Transporte - 2º GT, based at Campo dos Afonsos, Rio de Janeiro where they were put to use as passenger and cargo transport aircraft supporting the "Correio Aéreo Nacional - CAN" (National Air Mail service) lines, both in Brazil and abroad. |
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Unfortunately one of them - FAB 2057 - suffered an accident on 13 October 1949, in Oruro, Bolivia, whilst on a CAN mission. The aircraft was lost during the accident, after only 11 months in FAB service. With more luck on its side, the FAB 2058 was used by 2º GT untl 1956, when it was transferred to the "Parque de Aeronáutica dos Afonsos - PAAF", as maintenance depot, where it was used in support of other FAB units which were supported by PAAF until April 1968, when it was declared surplus to requirements. |
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By the middle of 1997, the FAB "Museu Aeroespacial - MUSAL" (Aerospace Museum) became interested in the aircraft. The aircraft was once again acquired by the FAB and flown to Rio de Janeiro, to be refurbished at the VARIG Brazilian Airlines maintenance shops at Tom Jobim International Airport (Galeão), Rio de Janeiro. |
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It then received the last colour finish it had sported during its FAB operation by PAAF, and was flown by the last time to the MUSAL facilities on 3 July 1998, piloted by civilian pilots, commanders José Jaú Margalho and Elizeu Fernandes.
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The unique aircraft is now displayed at MUSAL where the new generations can admire it and its glorious utilization in Brazil and in the World. |
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C-46D Curtiss Commando JRLucariny FSDS V2.24 Model |
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FDE
FS2002 Curtis C46 Mike Stone PANEL Abacus Custom Panel Designer Version 3.0 Cowl flaps Close - Ctrl+Shift+C Open - Ctrl+Shift+V |
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Open/Close the Doors |
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DRAWINGS “C-46 Commando in action” Aircraft Number 188 Squadron/signal publications |
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