Curtiss C-46 Commando 'Tinker Belle' by junge1
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Description
The C-46 Commando 'Tinker Belle' is owned by the Warbirds and Warriors Museum.
The Curtiss C-46 Commando known to the men that flew them as 'The Whale', the 'Curtiss Calamity', the 'Plumber's Nightmare', and among ATC (Air Transport Command) crews as the 'Flying Coffin'.
It was briefly used as a passenger airliner, but was relegated primarily to cargo duty. It was used in a secondary role by the USAF until 1968 and it remained a maintenance headache throughout its AAF career.
It continues in operation as a rugged cargo transport for arctic and remote locations.
The C-46 is best known for its operation in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater and the Far East. The Commando was a workhorse in flying over 'The Hump' as the Himalaya Mountains were nicknamed. It could carry more cargo higher than any other Allied twin-engined transport aircraft in the theater. The C-46 cargo capacity was twice that of the C-47.
General specifications:
Crew: 4
Capacity: 62 passengers
Length: 76-ft 4-in (23.27m)
Wingspan: 108-ft 1-in (32.9m)
Height: 21-ft 9-in (6.63m)
Wing area: 1,360 square ft (126.8 square m)
Empty weight: 32,400lb (14,700kg)
Max Takeoff weight: 48,000lb (22,000kg)
Power Plant: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 two-row 18-cylinder radial engines, 2,000hp (1,500kW)
Performance:
Maximum speed: 269mph (234knots, 433km/h)
Cruise speed: 173 mph (278km/h)
Range: 2,950 mi (2,560nmi, 4,750km)
Service Ceiling: 27,600ft (8,410m)
Rate of climb: 1,300 ft/min, 6.6m/s)
This picture was taken during MAAM's 22nd Anniversary World War II Weekend "A Gathering of Warbirds) on 1 June 2012 at Spaatz Field,
Sig...
22,000kg)
Powerplant: 2 x Pratt Whitney R-2800-51 two-row 18-cylinder radial engine 14,700kg)
Max takeoff weight: 48,000lb (m)
Wing area: 1,360 square ft (126.8 square m)
Empty weight: 32,400lb (
Comments (27)
crunch01
fantastic sot of a truly fantastic brid!!!!! it and the DC3 were the workhorses!!! love this
jayfar
A super looking aircraft.
Faemike55
Very cool image and fascinating specs
blinkings
Great post.
MagikUnicorn
Lovely shot
UVDan
Great shot. The first airplane I ever rode in was a C-46 converted to civilian use. I believe it was Ozark Airlines in Missouri.
auntietk
I like the look of that plane. It evokes old movies, for some reason. Wonderful shot!
sandra46
great shot
Minda
amazing aircraft and superb shot sig.
tigertim
Now, that is great to see!... excellent photo, and the period fuel truck really adds to the scene.
jocko500
wonderful shot
kgb224
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
farmerC
Exellent shot.
Maxidyne
Never seen one of these before and from a distance it probablly looks like a C-47. Looks great with the fuel tanker there too.
drifterlee
Very nice shot!
flavia49
splendid shot
bobrgallegos
Great capture of this old military transport Sig!! Excellent info!
pat40
Brilliant shot.
starship64
Wonderful shot. Transport aircraft might not be as glamorous as fighters and bombers, but they were every bit as important in winning the war.
Richardphotos
I wonder why they did not take the place of the C47 as a DC3. maybe Douglas padded the right politician's pockets
Briney
You just about need a parachute to get out through the forward door. ;-) Amazing machine. Yet its tiny in comparison to modern heavy lift machines.
Isabelle711
Most interesting info on this piece of history my friend. :)))) Were you in the Air Force? My daughter loves tinker bell so I know she would love this. :)))) Most excellent capture my friend. :))) Thank you ever so much for sharing. :))))) Carry A Smile In Your Heart :)))
UteBigSmile
Beautiful capture, just love it!
lyron
Great capture!!
debbielove
Now I have seen one before, but only at Dayton.. Never seen one flying, in the flesh so to speak! I'd love to though! This looks really good, with a bowser sitting besides it, perfect shot mate.. Rob
flaviok
Impressiona captura excelente meu amigo, aplausos (5)
bmac62
What would we have ever done without the R-2800??? Didn't realize it doubled the carry weight of the C-47! Nice shooting Sig.