Photo ID: 1015061
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Model: C-46 Commando, Curtiss CW-20A |
Registration: 15163 |
| Year: 1942 |
Serial Number: USAAF 41-5163, c/n 26365 |
| Engine(s): P&W R2800, 18-cyl. twin row radial, 2000-HP each. |
Owner: USAAF |
Location: New Castle Army Air Base
Wilmington, DE |
Photographer: USAAF Photographer, a series of nine 4x5's from the collection of Ken Stoltzfus |
| Date: December 1943 |
Present Registration: Destroyed |
Present Owner (FAA info): None |
Notes: 11/21/04 - The fifth of over 3000 Curtiss C-46's built, '15163 had some sort of misfortune at New Castle Army Air Base on December 14, 1943. Tail Number 15163 represents U. S. Army Air Force serial number 41-5163 given to Curtiss CW-20A, c/n 26365.
In this photo the fire in intense around #1engine. The cabin door is hanging open and the crew is probably out. No fire equipment has arrived yet but it looks like maybe the crew used a fire bottle in an attempt to extinguish the fire.
Curtiss built 25 of the straight C-46, Curtiss Model CW-20A, in 1942. They had a 3-bladed prop, and the C-46A was built with 4-bladers.
The WPAFB, Air Force Museum has a good page on C-46's http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/cargo/c4/c46.htm, and they have a photo of this actual aircraft loading troops. http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/cargo/c4/c46-11.jpg. |
Photo ID: 1015062
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Notes: Fire fighters are now on the scene. Several vehicles in the background have a siren on the fender like they did back then. This photo makes a respectable 8x10.
There appears to be a crew member with flight jacket and pilot's hat with the two firemen by the left wing tip, and another just to the right of the bushes in front of the wing. Note the guard with his rifle, just off the nose. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015063
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Notes: I'm not sure what's going on now. Nobody is manning the hoses and there are shovels in front of the wing. Note the smoke starting to come out of the door! |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015064
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Notes: The entire front of the aircraft has burned off and the wing is lying on the ground. The engine and prop you see there are #2 (right). The smoke is increasing behind the door. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015065
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Notes: The fire got real hot in the aft fuselage and the tail has dropped off.
The logo behind the doors says "The Air Transport Command" on the top, and "U.S. Army Air Forces" on the bottom. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015066
click image to enlarge |
Notes: It looks like they ran over those trees. I'm not sure just what direction they were going, but the first photo, which I didn't include here, might indicate that they went off the end of a runway and down over an embankment. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
Photo ID: 1015067
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Notes: Oops - - I guess we're not supposed to see these! Note that here it is spelled "New Castle", but often you will find it "Newcastle".
I am offering these photos in approx. 5x7" prints, in the flyinghigher.net store, as set CU-1. |
| Photographer: Stoltzfus, Ken |
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