C-46 Commando
C-46 Commando
Description
Role	Cargo transport
Crew	4 + 50 passengers
Dimensions
Length	76 ft 4 in	23.27 m
Wingspan	108 ft 1 in	32.9 m
Height	21 ft 9 in	6.63 m
Wing area	1,360 ft²	126.8 m²
Weights
Empty	32,400 lb	14,696 kg
Loaded
Maximum take-off	48,000 lb	21,772 kg
Powerplant
Engines	2 Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 2-row, 18-cylinder radial piston
Power	2,000 hp
Performance
Maximum speed	269 mph	433 km/h
Ferry range	2,950 mi	4,748 km
Service ceiling	27,600 ft	8,410 m
Rate of climb	1,300 ft/min	396 m/min

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

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.

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.

Variants

• C-46A
• CX-46B
• XC-46C
• C-46D
• C-46E
• C-46F
• C-46G
• C-46H
• C-46J
• XC-46K
• XC-46L

Units Using the C-46

United States Army Air Force