WOW217 – C-46 Commando

Description

WOW217: The C-46 Commando was a twin engine transport aircraft most famous for its operations in the China-Burma-India theatre. A variety of transports had been employed in the campaign, but only the C-46 was able to handle the wide range of adverse conditions encountered by the USAAF. Unpredictably violent weather, heavy cargo loads, high mountain terrain, and poorly equipped and frequently flooded airfields proved a considerable challenge to the transport aircraft then in service, along with a host of engineering and maintenance nightmares due to a shortage of trained air and ground personnel. After a series of mechanical problems were controlled if not surmounted, the C-46 proved its worth in the airlift operation in spite of continuing maintenance headaches. It could carry more cargo higher than other Allied twin-engine transport aircraft in the theatre, including light artillery, fuel, ammunition, parts of aircraft and on occasion, livestock. Its powerful engines enabled it to climb satisfactorily with heavy loads, staying aloft on one engine if not overloaded, though “war emergency” load limits of up to 40,000 lbs often erased any safety margins. Never used in the same numbers as the C-47 Skytrain the C-46 was nevertheless used on the European front with several being used to drop Paratroopers during Operation Varsity in 1945. The C-46 was a large aircraft with a 103ft wingspan comparable to a B-17 Flying Fortess, it could also carry double the payload of the smaller C-47, which made it ideal for airlift operations. Postwar the C-46 was used by Israel and numerous other air forces including the USA which operated it during the Korean and Vietnam war, with a number being flown by the CIA under the guise of Air America. Just 2 x 1/32 scale C-46’s in the markings of the ‘Syracuse Shackrat’ are available at the moment with a further 3 models planned if the demand arises. Please contact us if you require a quote for this model.