AH Curtis Commando Released!

[Bomber_12th]

I'm in the wrong country to even look at this one right now, but it seems, at least, that C-46s were never actually stationed in the UK prior to the end of the war? I know one of the 9th Air Force TC squadrons used them, but that seems to have been based in Italy, before moving to an ALG in newly occupied France, for casualty evacuation duties.

Does anyone know any better?

In the case of the 313th Troop Carrier Group, C-46's began arriving at Folkingham, England around February 1945 to replace their C-47's and then the Group later moved to Acheit Le Grand, France prior to Operation Varsity. The 313th C-46's were used in Operation Varsity, with the Group's four squadrons totaling 72 C-46's in all. The currently airworthy/flying Brazilian C-46 I provided the sales link to at the top of this page is one of those C-46's that were used in Operation Varsity, as is also the static C-46 on display at the Castle Air Museum in California. The story about the 313th TCG combat vet survivor C-46 at the Castle Air Museum can be read here: http://www.airbornetroopcarrier.com/c-4644-77575.html

A few 313th TCG photos taken in early/spring 1945.

This photo was certainly taken at Folkingham, England, upon the delivery of the new C-46's:

 

[Bomber_12th]

Some more photos from the 313th Troop Carrier Group (different Squadron than the photos in my previous post - note the close proximity among all of the serial numbers).

C-46's belonging to the 314th Troop Carrier Group, photographed at Barkston Heath Airfield, England in 1945.

 

[YoYo]

...but for $40 I expected a plane that at least had parity with the Manfred Jahn C-47.

To be honest, remember than Manfred's C-47 wasn't perfect too from the first day. AH will fix I think many of noticed bugs like always. It's normal in our time (unfortunately) so here a reason than I will wait a little after 1-2 patches .

 

[jeansy]

even with panel and gauge lights on when you hit a shade or the sun is behind you the VC is unreadable

 

[SSI01]

She looks great. How does she fly?

It's a gentleman's airplane, requires a fair amount of rudder to turn. Can handle a fairly steep bank, though. Just remember, lots of rudder.

 

[SSI01]

I say it with a heavy heart, as I would looking forward to this release, but this plane is a bit of a mess. Problems I have found:

• no functional interior lighting -- the rheostat knobs are there but they don't do anything
• the warning lights are always on -- stall, engine fire, marker beacon, gear light are always illuminated
• Engine 1 would never start under the described procedure in the manual while Engine 2 starts first try
• civilian VC has a panel that floats one foot away from the wall it's supposed to be attached
• the manual is very bare bones -- it does not even provide a recommended power setting for cruise
• after finding the recommend cruise power settings in the actual manual, the plane cruises about 30 knots too fast -- at speeds comparable to the L-049
• the landing light would extend but not illuminate sometimes
• the vertical speed indicator in the military VC would not measure the actual rate of descent correctly -- 500 FPM was actually 1000 FPM
• overstressing the engines is inconsequential -- CHT temperatures barely budge above 100 deg C when going 55" MP, 2500 RPM, and 240 KIAS

Now all of this can be fixed, but for $40 I expected a plane that at least had parity with the Manfred Jahn C-47.

Glad you found the same glitches I did. Made several tries at starting No. 1 by the book finally got feddup and went to ctrl+e and away we went. I was running 30/20 on my MAP/RPM and was getting almost 200 mph, at 8500 ft and no load in the aircraft out of the old bird. Left RPM at about 2000/2100, MAP at 27/28 inches to get bird back to around 175-180 MPH.

The old CalClassic C-46 had a distressing habit in FS9 of overheating at the drop of a hat during taxi. In this rendition there isn't any problem at all with overheating. Ground handling using just diff brakes and power works pretty good to get one around an airport.

 

[cavaricooper]

...the more I read, the more I believe I will wait for a SP (or 2) before purchasing.... she does look good and I am sure Just Planes and AH will have her sorted in no time. Top notch people at both organizations.

Best- C

 

[Bomber_12th]

I had some trouble getting the right engine manually started early on too, but once I made sure I actually had fuel pressure (as indicated by the fuel pressure gauge, after playing around with the fuel selectors), I haven't had such issues and I can get either engine started manually - of course making sure the mixture levers are rich, that the fuel booster pumps are on, and that the primer switch is on (per engine) during the use of the starter/mesh switches.

Screenshot I took that I liked of the military cockpit, waiting at the entrance to the big hangar at Saginaw Intl.

 

[WarHorse47]

It's funny how we all have different observations with the same aircraft.

My flights are typically low altitude and short. I just want to get up, fly and get a feel for the aircraft and its instruments. So far most of my flights are with the military version as I work through all the different textures.

When I first load the flight, the exterior lights are on. After I land, I can shut off all the lights with the overhead switches but they don't seem consistent in what controls what. I agree with the issue on the VC night lighting. I'm tempted to add my own vclighting, but want to wait and see what JF does.

My biggest issue is the inability to change the Com1 or Nav1 with the overhead panel. It hasn't been reported here, but there is some discussion on the JF form. I had to edit the [radios] section to get them to work.

The other item noted was the artificial horizon. I can barely see it.

Other than that I'm still enjoying it while I wait for JF to come out with a patch or update.

 

[mgchrist5]

I concur with everyone else's observations about several issues with the C-46. I still like it, and think it has potential that will hopefully be fulfilled after the inevitable first patch or two.

Engine 1 would never start under the described procedure in the manual while Engine 2 starts first try

I'm having problems with starting either engine. I've tried the manual checklists as well as several different procedures and variations of the mixture/mags/prime/start/mesh pattern, in addition to trying variations of front/center/rear tanks (supposed to start on front tanks IRL, I think), but cannot seem to get a consistent start with either engine. Ctrl+E doesn't even work reliably for me. Could be something on my setup, but I haven't narrowed it down yet. Confusing, as I haven't encountered this issue with any other plane in my hangar.

the manual is very bare bones -- it does not even provide a recommended power setting for cruise

Here are the cruise figures for the Calclassic model, which should be in the ballpark. For the autorich/autolean functions, you could use Bjoern's excellent automixture gauge.

CRUISE:
Max - 32"/2100rpm AUTO LEAN
Econ - 30"/2000rpm AUTO LEAN
Long Range - 28"/2050rpm AUTO LEAN

 

[dvj]

It's funny how we all have different observations with the same aircraft.

My flights are typically low altitude and short. I just want to get up, fly and get a feel for the aircraft and its instruments. So far most of my flights are with the military version as I work through all the different textures.

When I first load the flight, the exterior lights are on. After I land, I can shut off all the lights with the overhead switches but they don't seem consistent in what controls what. I agree with the issue on the VC night lighting. I'm tempted to add my own vclighting, but want to wait and see what JF does.

My biggest issue is the inability to change the Com1 or Nav1 with the overhead panel. It hasn't been reported here, but there is some discussion on the JF form. I had to edit the [radios] section to get them to work.

The other item noted was the artificial horizon. I can barely see it.

Other than that I'm still enjoying it while I wait for JF to come out with a patch or update.

I had to adjust my DX10 Fixer shading settings in order to see the military panel. Very dark, hard to see anything. The civil panel looks quite nice. Agree, no interior lighting and a few other minor problems. The sound set is great. First adopter's have long expected that SP's are the regular course and come a few weeks after launch. -d

 

[Roger]

I invariably need to add extra vc lighting to many new models. for the C-46 I've added these lines (using Manfred's original C-47 vc lights):

[LIGHTS]
//Types: 1=beacon, 2=strobe, 3=navigation, 4=cockpit, 5=landing
light.0=4, 17.995, -1.38, 4.85, fx_c47_vclight
light.1=4, 17.995, 1.38, 4.85, fx_c47_vclight

 

[Alan_A]

Thanks for the PIREPs, guys. Think I'll hold off 'til after a service pack or two, then come on board.

 

[Bomber_12th]

Some screenshots from a few circuits around Willow Run, where "Tinker Belle" will be displayed at/flying at in the Thunder Over Michigan airshow coming up in three weeks (one C-46, and many C-47's). Granted, it probably wasn't such a great idea, as there was a pretty good thunderstorm rolling through near the area at the time (numerous planes leaving/arriving on IFR flight plans, but fortunately it wasn't IFR around the airport itself).

I was forced to make a go-around at one point, with traffic still on the runway, but I liked this screenshot as a result.

 

[bazzar]

The lighting rheostats are inop on this model. The start procedure must be followed for cold/dark. Select center tanks, primer, starter, mesh (while starter is running. Once the start switch zeroes, you will not be able to start without resetting.)The cold/dark switch will zero EVERYTHING. So you must go through the steps. We'll be looking at any other issues for an SP. Instrument lighting is controlled from the switch on the OHP and in the military version, UV is also available as an option, using the switch on the left side console. I'm afraid I don't understand the comment re panels floating one foot away from the wall (?)

 

[StormILM]

Some screenshots from a few circuits around Willow Run, where "Tinker Belle" will be displayed at/flying at in the Thunder Over Michigan airshow coming up in three weeks (one C-46, and many C-47's). Granted, it probably wasn't such a great idea, as there was a pretty good thunderstorm rolling through near the area at the time (numerous planes leaving/arriving on IFR flight plans, but fortunately it wasn't IFR around the airport itself).

I was forced to make a go-around at one point, with traffic still on the runway, but I liked this screenshot as a result.

I refueled and re-oiled Tinker Belle 25 years ago when she stopped in to our FBO. Quite a beast and beauty of an aircraft. I really love the sound of it's R2800's at TO Power. Incidentally the C-46 was the first aircraft my late father flew on when he first enlisted in the Air Force many moons ago. They retired the type not terribly long afterwards.

 

[gray eagle]

I'm confused. Is this C-46 released/for sale? I ask because, when I went to AeroPlane Heaven's web page, there are pictures of it but no $$$ listed or download options.
http://www.aeroplaneheaven.com/product_c46.php




Edit: I see it's on sale at JF any plans to sell it from AH site?

 

[speedy70]

It is being sold by Just Flight only.

Cheers Chris

 

[jeansy]

is anyone else having problems the AP?

when trying climb with the AP, it climbs for a minute or two then nose dives and or exceeds the set amount VS and stalls out even when I set it to 100 VS its either doing plus or minus 600 i struggle to get about 4000 with the AP before it dives or stalls

this is some what annoying as it doesnt stick to level flight as well even when doing 200kts, sorry but the AP FDE is horrible

it follows the route no problems but up down, no go

on the lighting topic where is the switch to turn off the semi visible nose light? and the panel lighting dials are they just for show? because as stated when in the vc is shadowed, you can see anything

 

[WarHorse47]

Overhead switches (or labels) for the instrument lights and beacon are reversed if anyone is taking notes.

Also, I've discovered that the overhead frequency knobs for Nav1 and Com1 do function except they only change the standby frequencies. Doesn't help if you try and change primary frequencies for the older panel.