History

Aircraft By Type

Aircraft Make & Model:
Curtiss C-46
MTOW:
48,000 lb.
Range:
1,200 miles
Speed:
192 mph
Seats:
Length:
76 ft.
Wingspan:
108 ft.
Height:
22 ft.
Engines:
HP or Thrust:
No. flown by DL:
5 purchased used from Civil Air Transport of Taiwan
RoutesFlown:
Advantages:
Drawbacks:
First Delivery:
August 31, 1957
First Scheduled Service:
October 1, 1957
Reason Aquired:
Twice the cargo capacity of Delta's all-cargo Douglas C-47.
Last Retirement:
January 31, 1967
Reason Disposed:
Replaced by the Lockheed L-100.

Narrative:  Curtiss C-46 1957-1966

By 1956 Delta's cargo service had grown 724 percent since launching in 1946 with Douglas C-47 freighters. When the new C-46 fleet went into operation in 1957, Delta increased its all-cargo lift by 600 percent. 

Main cabin was eight feet longer than a standard railroad box car. 

Extra large doors were "large enough to load a Cadillac automobile without scratching the paint job," according to Delta.

More Information

 

Pictures
  • c-46
  • c-46_loading
Videos
  • Curtiss C-46 Commando Demonstration