C-46 talking

[Nathan]

So..I don't hear much on the C-46 anymore. How many are still flying today? Still an important warbird if you ask me.

[lestweforget]

I like the Commando myself. Dont think it gets the recognition it deserves. It is overshadowed by the Dakota I suppose. There are a few still working for their keep though. Try this link. Hope it is of some help. http://www.oldprops.ukhome.net/Curtiss%20C46.htm

[Dan K]

Nathan, just type in "C-46" at Youtube...hours of good, clean Commando fun.

[Django]

Did Tinker Belle ever sell?

I think they're pretty neat. A lot bigger in person too.

There's two flying in Yellowknife, NWT, Canada (where I work). Everytime I watch one take-off I think to myself "The war must have sounded great!"

[Ryan Keough]

Did Tinker Belle ever sell?

I think they're pretty neat. A lot bigger in person too.

It just went to "pending" on Courtesy this week -- anyone know if it's going to a warbird operator or is it going north to be a workhorse?

[kalamazookid]

The CAF''s "China Doll" and the soon to be ex-CAF "Tinker Belle" are the only two I'm aware of that fly in warbird configuration. The rest are operated by civilian transport companies. I think Buffalo Airway's operates a couple. I think there was another service that operated them, could it be Air Manitoba? Or am I just inventing airlines late in the night for no apparent reason?

[RMAllnutt]

Everts Air Fuels operate four of them out of Fairbanks, Alaska, and have six in mothballs. They really are cool looking birds. You can see a few on my website from my trip there last year here...


http://www.rmallnutt.com/Alaska/Everts-Fairbanks/index.htm

Cheers,
Richard

Buffalo Airways has two, and there's one or two in Manitoba with another outfit (Commando Air?) including ex-Buffalo Airwoys C-GTPO.

[Robbie Roberts]

Better pull them out of mothballs before they need deforestation...

Robbie

[Warbird Kid]

Yeah, wish they were preserved a little better. Still, good to see some hanging around until smart people with smart money put them to use.

What im wondering is, where are the urgent examples that seem to be really downhill? I think i remember seeing some pics on old-props.

Years ago there was a picture in Air Classics "Warbird Report" of some ROK machines in storage in Korea that were for sale. Still had the Curtiss-Electric props even.

[jspitfire]

Living in Yellowknife, I get to see the C-46s take off on a regular basis, and it's always an amazing sight!

From what I've seen I would say they are the busiest aircraft in Buffalo's fleet, bringing groceries and freight to northern communities. My guess is that the load is always too big for a DC-3, and running one of the C-54s is just too costly compared to the C-46.

And Dan, I think the guys in Manitoba are called First Nations Transport.

[tex-fan]

If you go by www.warbirdalley.com there are 50+ still flying. I agree great aircraft!

[Dan K]

I've always preferred the look of four blades per engine on the C-46, but understand many pilots' preference for going hydraulic.

Has anyone ever thought of mounting 4-bladed Ham Standards for that classic look, or would that be too much of a maintenance and/or FAA hassle to bother?