This is a list of surviving Curtiss C-46 Commandos , including both airworthy and on display or stored aircraft.
This is a list of surviving Curtiss C-46 Commandos , including both airworthy and on display or stored aircraft.
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As of August 2021, there are three aircraft known to be regularly flown in active revenue service; one with Everts Air Cargo, N54514 Maid in Japan and two with Buffalo Airways. In addition, there is one airworthy Museum example; N78774 Tinker Belle which frequently takes part in Spring through Autumn airshows and museum events. One of Everts Air Cargo, N1822M Salmon Ella, was withdrawn from use in July 2018 after an accident, but has returned to active flight operations. Three others, N1837M Hot Stuff, N7848B Dumbo and N1651M are in storage. Everts also has several mothballed air-frames which they hold mainly for spare parts, but some of them could possibly be returned to service if the need arose.[ citation needed ]
On 27th February 2023 and March 13th, 2023, N7848B Dumbo and N1837M Hot Stuff respectively were caught on FlightAware.com departing and landing at Kenai Municipal Airport.[ citation needed ]
There are several stored examples in Bolivia, however none of them are currently active. One of them, CP-1655 owned by Eco Express Cargo Services, was being brought back to serviceable condition prior to 2012, [1] and one more (CP-973) is set up for passenger configuration, however it is reportedly now up for sale. [2] The future use of these Bolivian examples is uncertain as the C-46 has not seen any use since the crash of CP-1319 (Skyteam Flight Training [3] ) in 2012.
There is one additional stored example registered C-GIBX which is stored serviceable, but with the Certificate of Registration cancelled, [4] at Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. This aircraft was tied up in receivership, however according to First Nations Transport, as of Jan 2016, the aircraft is claimed to be airworthy with two new engines and available for sale with the fire bottles and props needing updates.
One last example; N53594 China Doll was airworthy and flown by the Commemorative Air Force Museum, however it is currently grounded due to Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding propeller time as well as having corrosion issues. She was originally scheduled to be restored back to airworthy status by 2019, [5] [6] however the severity of the corrosion was more extensive than first thought and the funds to bring her back to serviceable condition are not currently available.
As of January 2016, the Brazilian Register lists PP-BTP PP-BTZ PP-ITE PP-NAO PP-NMH PP-VCE PT-AYA PT-LBP [14] All show cancelled airworthiness certificates. PP-VCE & PT-LBP are confirmed preserved, PP-NMH exists derelict, however it is not known if any of the other 5 listed still survive.
According to the Transport Canada database there are four C-46's currently registered. [17] Two are active, one is stored and one was recently withdrawn from use after crash landing in 2015.
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