C-46 COMMANDO

Historical Note:    The C-46 Commando is an American transport aircraft designed for commercial use manufactured by Curtiss-Wright and designed by George A. Page.

The C-46 played a vital role in the Pacific.  The C-46 became notable in the Far East for its operations.  The C-46's huge cargo capacity and long range made it ideal for the vast Pacific campaign.  It could also carry more cargo higher than other Allied twin-engine transport aircraft and it transported a variety of cargo, including light artillery, fuel, ammunition, parts of aircraft and various types of livestock.  The C-46 had single or double fuselage doors, allowing quicker exit for paratroopeers.  The Marines used the C-46 in the Pacific island-hopping campaigns, flying supplies in and wounded soldiers out of numerous island landing strips.  The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) also operated the C-46 Commandos.  It played a supporting role in many clandestine operations including the Bay of Pigs fiasco.  During the Vietnam War, Air America operated more than 150 C-46 Commandos and 8,000 employees.  The C-46s continued to operate in many remote and northern locations for its remarkable workhorse capability.  In 1993 and 1995, Relief Air Transport operated three C-46s on Operation Lifeline Sudan from Lokichoggio, Kenya.  The C-46 also transported humanitarian supplies to Goma, Zaire and Mogadishu, Somalia from their base in Nairobi, Kenya.  Two C-46s operates as freighters for First Nations Transportation in Gimli, Manitoba.  Buffalo Airways also owns and operates two C-46s which are primarily used in Canada's Arctic.

The C-46 has a crew  of 4 with a capacity of 50 passengers.  It has a maximum speed of 269 mph and a range of 2,950 mi.     

Scale:    1:72
W/S:    18.0   inches, 
Lgth:   14.0   inches

Item Number:    TMC-MXAC046TE                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Price:    $249.95