MSFS Releases Local Legend 17: THE Curtiss C-46 Commando

Speaking with regard to C-46s still flying in the world, there are only five. Those being:

- C-FAVO in Canada, operated by Buffalo Airways (engines from C-46 C-GTPO were recently removed and put on C-FAVO to keep it flying, leaving C-GTPO parked out in the weeds).
- N54514 'Maid in Japan' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Cargo.
- N1837M 'Hot Stuff' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Fuel.
- N7848B 'Dumbo' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Fuel.
- N78774 'The Tinker Belle' in Virginia, operated by Jerry Yagen/Military Aviation Museum - the only one flying today as a restored warbird/not for business.

Unfortunately, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing's C-46 'China Doll' will never fly again, according to that group. I think 2007 was the last year it flew, and then it sat permanently parked outside at Camarillo, California, up until just this year. They've found too much corrosion and determined that it would be too cost-prohibitive to restore it back to airworthy. Fortunately as of this year it is now hangared, but it will be remaining permanently static with no intention of it getting it operational again.

The C-46 registered in Bolivia as CP-973 is supposed to be airworthy, but I've never seen any indication of it having been flown at any time in recent years. It was last listed for sale seven years ago as airworthy, but I haven't seen anything of it since. It looks gorgeous.

Last I heard, Everts Air is still working on repairing N1822M 'Salmon Ella' (my favorite name of their C-46's), which was significantly damaged in 2018. As of a couple years ago, they had put a new nose on the aircraft, removed from another of their stock of C-46 airframes.
 
Last edited:
Bomber_12th said:
Speaking with regard to C-46s still flying in the world, there are only five. Those being:

- C-FAVO in Canada, operated by Buffalo Airways (engines from C-46 C-GTPO were recently removed and put on C-FAVO to keep it flying, leaving C-GTPO parked out in the weeds).
- N54514 'Maid in Japan' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Cargo.
- N1837M 'Hot Stuff' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Fuel.
- N7848B 'Dumbo' in Alaska, operated by Everts Air Fuel.
- N78774 'The Tinker Belle' in Virginia, operated by Jerry Yagen/Military Aviation Museum - the only one flying today as a restored warbird/not for business.

Unfortunately, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing's C-46 'China Doll' will never fly again, according to that group. I think 2007 was the last year it flew, and then it sat permanently parked outside at Camarillo, California, up until just this year. They've found too much corrosion and determined that it would be too cost-prohibitive to restore it back to airworthy. Fortunately as of this year it is now hangared, but it will be remaining permanently static with no intention of it getting it operational again.

The C-46 registered in Bolivia as CP-973 is supposed to be airworthy, but I've never seen any indication of it having been flown at any time in recent years. It was last listed for sale seven years ago as airworthy, but I haven't seen anything of it since. It looks gorgeous.

Last I heard, Everts Air is still working on repairing N1822M 'Salmon Ella' (my favorite name of their C-46's), which was significantly damaged in 2018. As of a couple years ago, they had put a new nose on the aircraft, removed from another of their stock of C-46 airframes.
Click to expand...
John, there was one at Oshkosh in 2016. I was totally surprised on how big it is compared to the C-47. Loved watching her take off for home.
 
C-FAVO had a eng#2 backfire incident in May. Did an uneventful landing with one engine in Yellowknife. Hope it will be airworthy again.

Thomas
 
TiAr said:
C-FAVO had a eng#2 backfire incident in May. Did an uneventful landing with one engine in Yellowknife. Hope it will be airworthy again.

Thomas
Click to expand...
Yes, as of mid-June its been flying again, using engines that had been on C-GTPO.
 
The C-46 is great! Is the Sperry fully functional? I can hold pitch and level flight, can roll by elevator control but the rudder control does not seem to work. The aircraft does not turn to the set heading? Do the bare metal textures look a bit too dark?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top