Curtiss C-46 Commando 'Tinker Belle' by junge1
Close
Hover over top left image to zoom.
Click anywhere to exit.
Members remain the original copyright holder in all their materials here at Renderosity. Use of any of their material inconsistent with the terms and conditions set forth is prohibited and is considered an infringement of the copyrights of the respective holders unless specially stated otherwise.
No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
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)
fantastic sot of a truly fantastic brid!!!!! it and the DC3 were the workhorses!!! love this
A super looking aircraft.
Very cool image and fascinating specs
Great post.
Lovely shot
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.
I like the look of that plane. It evokes old movies, for some reason. Wonderful shot!
great shot
amazing aircraft and superb shot sig.
Now, that is great to see!... excellent photo, and the period fuel truck really adds to the scene.
wonderful shot
Superb capture my friend. God Bless.
Exellent shot.
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.
Very nice shot!
splendid shot
Great capture of this old military transport Sig!! Excellent info!
Brilliant shot.
Wonderful shot. Transport aircraft might not be as glamorous as fighters and bombers, but they were every bit as important in winning the war.
I wonder why they did not take the place of the C47 as a DC3. maybe Douglas padded the right politician's pockets
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.
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 :)))
Beautiful capture, just love it!
Great capture!!
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
Impressiona captura excelente meu amigo, aplausos (5)
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.