C-46 Commando

The Curtiss C-46 “Commando” was flown by 349th Air Mobility Wing starting in the spring of 1945. The Commando joined the C-47 in flying combat cargo missions into the European Theater. It was the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world at the time, and is widely considered the most famous cargo aircraft of World War II. It could carry 15,000 pounds of cargo, 30 patients on stretchers, or 40 troops. While flying the C-46, the 349th was the first unit to drop paratroopers from both doors. In April 1945, our airmen also participated in the largest formation of C-46s ever flown in the European Theater, when 54 of them blanketed the sky over Amiens, France.

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349th AMW 75th Anniversary, C-46 Commando

Published Sept. 4, 2018
By Kenneth Wright, 349th Public Affairs
349 AMW

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- From the inception of the 349th Troop Carrier Group on Nov. 1, 1943, the Airmen of what would ultimately become the 349th Air Mobility Wing, have flown 17 different aircraft. The next aircraft in our anniversary series is the Curtiss C-46 “Commando” that was flown by 349th Air Mobility Wing starting in the spring of 1945. The Commando joined the C-47 in flying combat cargo missions into the European Theater. It was the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world at the time, and is widely considered the most famous cargo aircraft of World War II.

It could carry 15,000 pounds of cargo, 30 patients on stretchers, or 40 troops. While flying the C-46, the 349th was the first unit to drop paratroopers from both doors. In April 1945, our airmen also participated in the largest formation of C-46s ever flown in the European Theater, when 54 of them blanketed the sky over Amiens, France.