Photo © Eric Lange

Specs

Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Type: Transport/Cargo
Engines: Two 2,000 HP Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51
Wing Span: 108 ft. 1 in.
Length: 76 ft. 4in.
Tail Height: 21 ft. 9 in.
Max Speed: 269 MPH
Cruising Speed: 193 MPH
Ceiling: 27,600 ft.
Max Range: 3,150 Miles
Normal Range: 2,000 Miles
Empty Weight: 30,000 lbs.
Max Weight: 48,000 lbs.
Crew: Pilot, Copilot, Flight Engineer, Navigator.
Passengers: 50 Troops
Fuel Consumption: (average) 160 GPH

Number Built: 3,144

Number Still Flying: ≈8

Background

Curtiss-Wright designed the CW-20 to compete with the DC-3 civilian airliner. It was the largest twin engine transport yet built. The prototype first flew on March 26, 1940. Its large load capacity and excellent high altitude performance impressed the US Army. An initial order was placed for 25 aircraft, to be designated the C-46 "Commando." Deliveries started in May of 1942 with WWII in full swing. The C-46 served with distiction in the China-Burma-India Theater of operation ferrying supplies over the "Hump" from India to China. It was called to service again during the Korean conflict. Although decomissioned after Korea, the C-46 served under contract in Vietnam. There were approximately 3,200 C-46 airplanes built, of which 234 were "F" models. Currently, two fly in the continental US, both owned by the CAF.

Flying The "Hump"

During the first few months of WWII, the Japanese overran most of South-East Asia. By April 1942, they captured part of the Burma Road, China's only land link with the Allies. Chinese forces under the command of General Chiang Kai Shek, the Flying Tigers units, and the thousands of American and British troops fighting the Japanese in China and Burma were trapped. The US had promised to re-supply China. On February 25, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, "It is obviosly of the utmost urgency...that the pathway to China be kept open." Only the air routes remained. Flights were begun with C-47s . The one route was between Assam in India and Kunming in China. It was a 500 mile flight through some of the worst weather in the world. And directly over the highest mountains in the world, the Himalayas, many over 20,000 ft. high. There were no navigational aids and the C-47s were unable to fly over the mountains, but had to fly lower through the passes and canyons. A transport that could carry large loads and fly very high was needed. The C-46 met the challenge.

By July 1945 the Air Transport Command achieved an average of one airplane every 1.3 minutes over the "Hump". The experience gained made it possible to successfully operate the Berlin Airlift of 1948-1949.

C-46F "China Doll" N53594

Built: July 1945

The Southern California Wing's C-46F was built in July 1945. First assigned to Sedalia Army Station in Missouri and then Teterboro, NJ before being surplused in 1950. This aircraft was flown by various owners as a freighter and then finally as a pesticide sprayer before being donated as "Ol'94" to the CAF and the West Texas Wing in 1978. The CAF unit named it "Humpty Dumpty". The Southern California Wing of the CAF formed in Spring 1981 and wanted the aircraft. The Unit raised $30,000 for two new engines during the summer and flew the C-46 to Van Nuys Airport on Columbus Day 1981. The Southern California Wing and the C-46 found their permanent home at Camarillo Airport in June 1982. The Unit renamed it "China Doll", with traditional nose art designed by Tony Starcer, who painted over 100 nose arts in WWII, including the famous B-17 "Memphis Belle".

Copyright © Commemorative Air Force, INC. except as otherwise marked. All rights reserved.